Being placed in the Tier 2 Watch List, the second lowest ranking out of four, suggests an acknowledgement that the country has made significant efforts to tackle human trafficking but still does not comply with US standards.

“The Thai government’s efforts to tackle human trafficking are not aimed at any evaluation,” the ministry said, adding the government’s efforts were aimed at protecting Thai and foreign people in the Kingdom from human trafficking and to uphold humanitarian principles.

Thailand has also made progress in policy initiatives, in the prosecution of wrong-doers and complicit officials, in prevention of potential victims, in the protection of witnesses and victims, and by forging partnerships with various groups of stakeholders, both domestic and foreign, the ministry said.

The ministry said that despite the US report not showing any improvement in Thailand’s standing, the Thai government remained “firmly committed to address human trafficking while seeking to further strengthen and expand cooperation with concerned partners”.