Modern slavery is increasingly recognised as a global risk. In Asia Pacific it is estimated that 28 million people are in modern slavery, of whom 15 million in forced labour. The profits are significant, estimated at an annual US$62 billion in the region. Migrant workers are at particular risk of modern slavery in the form of forced labour and human trafficking. Underpinning these estimates is a complex transboundary problem, with global, regional, national and local dimensions. Exploitation – whether for labour, sex or forced marriage - is entrenched in key industries and evolving in new ways.
Thailand faces risks of modern slavery in several sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, construction, manufacturing, and domestic work. Conditions in neighbouring countries affect vulnerabilities of migrant workers from those countries in Thailand. Unsafe migration has increased due to factors including political conflicts and climate change, while deceptive recruitment methods have proliferated through social media.
A diverse range of stakeholders joined Thailand’s second Modern Slavery Conference 2025 on 3-4 March 2025, recognising the gravity of the issue and a growing commitment to progress strategies to prevent and improve responses to modern slavery. Led by the Office of the Attorney General, participants included government agencies, civil society, the private sector, international organisations and survivors of modern slavery. This policy brief presents key issues and recommendations discussed at the conference with implications for Thailand and beyond.