On 21-25 April 2026, Mrs. Hataya Khusakul, Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, led a Thai delegation comprised of the relevant agencies, namely the Royal Thai Police, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Ministry of Labour, as well as representatives from civil society to Washington, D.C. to enhance Thai - U.S. cooperation in combating human trafficking, forced labor and worst forms of child labor. The delegation reaffirmed Thailand's determination to prevent and suppress all forms of human trafficking, protect all workers from human trafficking and forced labor, as well as discussed Thailand's recent key achievements on the issue.
The Director-General, together with Pol. Col. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Deputy Police Commissioner General and the Director of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Center, and representatives from the relevant agencies, had a meeting with Mr. David Williams, Senior Official, and Ms. Rachel M. Poynter, Principal Deputy Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office), U.S. Department of State. Both sides discussed the situation of human trafficking in Thailand and human trafficking related to online scam operations in Southeast Asia. They also exchanged views on enhancing coordinated actions to better prevent, prosecute and protect victims of forced criminality in the context of online scams.
In addition, the delegation had a meeting with Ms. Ana M. Guevara, Deputy Undersecretary, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor. They exchanged information and perspectives on Thailand's achievements in strengthening labor standards through legislative and regulatory amendments in specific sectors, enhancing the capacity of frontline officers, and monitoring supply chains to prevent import of goods produced by forced labor. They also visited the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and met with Mr. John Shehan, Senior Vice President for Exploited Child Division and International Engagement, to discuss the latest trends in child sexual exploitation, the use of artificial intelligence in online sexual abuse, as well as ways forward to collaborate with social media platforms.