Trafficking for forced criminality in online scam centres has emerged as a major human trafficking challenge for Thailand, driven by cross-border scam operations in neighbouring countries and the movement of people who may themselves have been compelled to commit offences. The crisis is evolving faster than the response, exposing gaps across the full protection chain: disrupting trafficking networks, identifying victims before they are penalised, and ensuring effective protection, remedy, and sustainable reintegration after rescue.

During its 3rd UPR cycle, Thailand received 10 recommendations concerning human trafficking and supported all of them, including one calling for a victim-centred National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and consistent victim-identification and screening procedures. The recommendations also addressed prevention, protection, and assistance for victims, forced labour, effective investigation and prosecution, and international cooperation. Thailand has since strengthened its anti-trafficking response, but implementation remains partial, particularly in addressing trafficking for forced criminality, consistently applying the non-punishment principle, and ensuring effective protection and remedy after rescue.