English subtitle of PM weekly televised address on 20 March 2015
Start at 7.12 minute
Another important issue is the enforcement and amendment of laws which have become a problematic issue, and laws that relate to foreign nations and the matter of trade restrictions. Examples are: the bill on elephant tusks trade and the bill on the protection of wildlife in accordanceto CITES regulations. Other bills include the fishery bill. In response to the TIP report, I have already designated the issues of fisheries, labour, and human trafficking to be national agendas.
The problem has been long-standing, and issues in human trafficking have affected all workers. We have been warned by many parties over the TIP report, as well as over IUU. Thus, we need to quickly solve these issues. I ask for collaboration from all sectors – business owners, employees – in registering workers. If registration is not achieved, we will not be able to sell marine catches event if we were able to make catches. I must ask for progress to be yielded within 1 month. There must be progress after every month. Past governments have not been able to solve this issue. The issue will be dealt with within this administration. In order to succeed, we need to unite in making the various required improvements that would take us towards meeting international standards. We should no longer tolerate the international community making negative criticisms all the time – this is detrimental to the reputation of the nation….
Until 8.15 minute
Resume at 22.27 minute
….Trade between Thailand and the US is recovering gradually. Thailand’s exports to Europe have also seen some improvement. We need to be concerned about fishery products and human trafficking. I have told all committees to mobilize every effort to tackle this issue. I asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Labour Ministry, Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the Royal Thai Police, and other related agencies to work hand-in-hand in order to effectively resolve this problem. We cannot let human trafficking activities go on in our country. There must be progress every month. Excuses will not be accepted. You need to know the cause of the problem. Human trafficking will not be solved if we let it continue under our watch. You need to accept that there is a problem, and tackle it with strategies and laws enforced by responsible agencies. Perpetrators will be prosecuted and victims will receive government assistance. Every sector especially the fishing industry will be monitored as everything is interconnected…..
Until 23.39 minute
Resume at 38.55 minute
….One of the biggest problems we face at the moment is illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). I declare this problem a national issue. IUU involves human trafficking and must be resolved by every sector concerned such as traders, entrepreneurs, boat operators, crew members, and state officials. The Defence Ministry has been assigned to create understanding among Thailand’s partners namely Vietnam, Laos PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. We do not want to be breaking maritime regulations imposed by other countries. Many countries are trying to resolve this issue. Thailand has been in touch with other nations regarding this matter. Please pay attention to the IUU problem. We need to improve our position on the Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), because it also relates to our trading potential. I promise that I am doing the best I can on this matter. I would like to inform international organizations that Thailand is working in all dimensions to tackle human trafficking. We realize that trade restrictions could be considered in relation to this matter, which would seriously impact many communities in the developing world. As international organizations have fundamentally supported the well being of all global citizens, especially the poor, this is a matter for careful consideration. I promise that Thailand is ready and committed to solving human trafficking. We will do what it takes. I know that our products are in demand, but there are certain barriers and standards that must get passed.
End at 40.38 minute
