Thalang officials hunt for human-trafficking victims

PHUKET: Phuket officials checked several Thalang construction sites yesterday for signs of illegal workers who could possibly be connected to human trafficking.

“The Phuket human-trafficking prevention and suppression committee had a meeting last month to create a plan for cracking down on human trafficking,” said Kriangkrai Apabootsayapan, chief of the Phuket Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office.

“We will be checking every group that we believe is susceptible to human trafficking on Phuket, such as laborers, prostitution, beggars and so on.”

The team, comprising immigration officers, local officials and Civil Defense Volunteers, verified the work permits and social security cards of the workers.

Although the inspection revealed that the all workers were legal, Mr Kriangkrai, who headed the team, confirmed that they would continue with random checks until Phuket was clear of human trafficking.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong