Thailand said it is disappointed with a decision by the U.S. State Department to blacklist it for its failure to do enough to fight human trafficking.
But the Southeast Asian country vowed it would continue to fight the scourge.
The United States on Friday released its assessment of how governments around the world have performed in fighting the flesh trade and other forms of exploitative labour.
The report lowered Thailand to its lowest ranking, “tier 3.” President Barack Obama has 90 days to determine whether to apply sanctions. The downgrade could exact a reputational cost on Thailand’s lucrative seafood and shrimp industries.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary of Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, told reporters on Saturday in Bangkok that Thailand had stepped up its struggle to combat trafficking.
