Forced Labor and Sex Traficking in Thailand

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Thailand:
According to the Department of State, “Thailand is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Victims from neighboring countries, such as China, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Fiji migrate willingly to Thailand for various reasons, including fleeing conditions of poverty” (TIPR, 2013, p. 358). The countries that people are fleeing from are known for their poor living conditions, which help contribute to their “push” factors. . These individuals are severely affected by developmental factors like poverty, lack of education, and inequality, which serves to accentuate their susceptibility to traffickers. Thus, traffickers take advantage of their vulnerability, by enticing them with promises of employment and better living conditions by coming to Thailand. The Thai government’s efforts to combat these problems have been insufficient. These individuals lack the support or means to mitigate poverty and reduce their vulnerability. The corruption in Thailand’s border control and law enforcement efforts run rampant creating the perfect “pull” factor for traffickers. This lack of oversight facilitates the trafficking of people across the border and helps to enable perpetrators to avoid punishment.
The widespread corruption and fear of retribution in Thailand also discourages sexually trafficked individuals from confronting their abusers and removing themselves from their detrimental situation. “Foreign migrants, members of ethnic minorities, and stateless persons in Thailand are at the greatest risk of being trafficked” (TIPR, 2013, p. 358). These individuals are extremely vulnerable to sexual exploitation, because they are often illegal, impoverished, and often...

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