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Immigration Bureau [Royal Thai Police]

The ability to address migration issues comprehensively and cooperatively is today a fundamental requirement for responsible national governance, effective international relations and full participation in international or regional institutions. While the prevailing view is that migration has been mainly a positive force for development in both countries of origin and destination, unregulated migration can have social, financial and political costs for individuals, societies and governments alike. Comprehensive, transparent and coherent approaches to immigration and border management processes, involving all countries in the migration continuum, can help minimize the negative impact of migration and preserve its integrity as a natural social process.

Thailand is a migration hub in Southeast Asia and simultaneously a country of origin, transit and destination for large numbers of migrants. Many low-skilled workers from neighboring countries enter Thailand irregularly, often through the help of smugglers and brokers, aiming to find work and better lives. Thailand has also been used as an important transit point for smuggled migrants transiting through Thailand. Some smuggled migrants enter Thailand legally on tourist visas before beginning their journey onwards while many others enter irregularly by boat or land from neighboring countries. The smuggling of migrants from Thailand occurs primarily via air transport, land or long boat journeys, and is often facilitated by the use of fraudulent documents.

The “Strengthening the Border Management and Intelligence Capacity of Thai Government Officials” project is designed to support efforts by the Thai authorities and their regional counterparts to tackle Human Smuggling and Trafficking. Funded by the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) of the Government of Canada, the project has been ongoing since January 2012 and is currently in its fourth phase (April 2019-March 2022).

Thai law enforcement and immigration agencies are equipped with sustainable travel document examination and verification tools and procedures to effectively intercept human smuggling cases on a consistent and timely basis. Distribution of the Passport Examination Procedures Manual and handheld travel document examination equipment to frontline officers. Handover one workstation of Verifier TD&B to Thai Immigration Training Center for training purpose among Royal Thai Police. Trainings on passport examination, use of equipment and interview techniques (interviewing passengers at border checkpoints or airports) for trainers and participants and data management and analysis for investigation officers.

Thai law enforcement agencies better promote and share knowledge, expertise and capacity on border management techniques. Production of additional eLearning modules related combatting smuggling of migrants in maritime context for the Marine Police Division and expand to use to other police agencies. Trainings on combatting smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons as well as the identification of smuggling networks and post-interception to immigration, tourist and marine police.

Thai law enforcement officers have enhanced capacity for interagency collaboration to disrupt movements of irregular migrants and ensure holistic protection of vulnerable migrants. Inter-agency case management workshops on smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and transnational organized crime. Trainings on specialized investigation techniques to combat transnational organized and related crimes for investigation officers from multiple police agencies.

Thai law enforcement officers address capacity gaps in handling vulnerable cases of irregular female migrants. Research on gender dimension of migrants vulnerabilities, gaps and good practices to be carried out.