Countries whose governments do not meet the minimum standards of the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act but are making “significant” efforts to comply are assigned to Tier 2.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday expressed satisfaction with the renewed status, saying it showed that Washington recognises Thailand is tackling the issue.

He said his new government would continue to suppress human trafficking in all forms and thanked all agencies and organisations involved in the effort.

Thailand had Tier 3 status in 2014 and 2015, rising to Tier 2 last year.

Tier 3 governments neither meet the minimum standards of the US legislation nor are making significant effort to do so.