The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand aided over 60,000 Thai nationals abroad in 2023, of which 1,000 are suspected human trafficking victims, including those trafficked into the online scamming operation. Gearing up for 2024, the Ministry aims to deploy technology solutions to support the embassies and consulates’ work to assist and protect Thai nationals.
In 2023, Thai embassies and consulates around the world assisted over 60,000 Thai citizens abroad, most of which received general protection services, such as assistance for loss of documents, robbery, and health issues.
Three offices with most Thai nationals receiving assistance are the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul (13,536 persons), the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv (9,950 persons), and the Consulate-General in Dubai (5,940 persons) respectively.
Apart from general assistance and protection services, the embassies and consulates also worked to assist over 12,000 Thai workers abroad, especially the repatriation of 8,000 Thai nationals out of Israel. They also aided almost 6,000 Thai nationals accused or arrested for unlawful activities abroad and liaised with their families in Thailand.
The embassies and consulates also assist over 1,000 suspected victims of human trafficking per year from neighboring countries and the Middle East. The recent examples include the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon’s assistance of over 500 Thai nationals who were deceived into working as call center scammers and in Chinese KTV in Myanmar.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nathapol Khantahiran, emphasized that it is imperative for Thai embassies and consulates abroad to build public trust by engaging them in volunteering activities to assist other Thai nationals that include providing useful information and advice on local laws and business regulations.
DPS Nathapol also highlighted the tendency of new challenges faced by Thai nationals abroad, especially human trafficking that has evolved beyond its traditional form. The online scamming has become very concerning and their bases have moved from Cambodia to Laukkai in Myanmar. All parties involved will have to monitor where they may emerge in the future.
Given a number of challenges facing the work to protect and assist Thai nationals in 2024, including the limited human resources, the Ministry plans to utilize new technologies, such as AI, Chatbots, and ChatGPT, in their work.
