Kredtrakarn Protection and Occupational Development Centre

Every year, at least one student completes their grant project on the topic of human trafficking, and a different subject for Americans to try to put their brains around.

The fact remains that people around the world are forced into different forms of labor, and large percent of these people are children. The problem of human trafficking is a problem that is being addressed in Thailand by various government agencies. Today we visited one organization, the Kredtrakarn Protection and Occupational Development Centre, which is located outside Bangkok. Upon arriving at the center, the students were in a main theater area watching a video and, although we did not talk to them, I was stunned by their youth..

Kredtrakarn is one of nine larger centers in Thailand created to help victims of human trafficking, the prostitution industry, or other social problems. There are also 77 smaller houses across the countries to help the same population. About half of the centers address the needs of boys.

The Kredtrakarn Center currently houses 228 women and children, which is a lower number than there average of 400. Of these, 126 are not Thai citizens, the majority from Laos. The majority of the girls are brought to the center by the police, after being found as victim involved in come type of forced labor situation, including:

Forced factory labor: Often, a middle man will come to a village to recruit a girl to come to work. She is told she will receive 4000-5000 Baht a month for her work, which is about US$133-166. Upon arrival, however, her wages are much lower. In addition, the factory conditions are horrendous and the girls are threatened, saying they cannot leave the factory or they will be arrested.

Prostitution: In most cases, the girls know what they are agreeing to in terms of the type of work. However, the manipulation occurs when the girls are told they own a debt for transportation into Bangkok that will take a considerable amount of time to pay off. In addition, the “house” keeps at least 50% of her income. If she pays off the debt and tries to switch brothels, a new “debt” is created, in efforts to keep the girls financially trapped.

During the last government shift in 2006, free public education to grade 12 was established. There appears to be a connection between educational opportunities and the numbers of Thai women and girls caught up in these types of work. The representative at the center indicated a decrease in Thai numbers, but an increase in women and girls from neighboring countries, since recruiters can traffic people across the borders.

The Kredtrakarn Center does amazing work. When the girls and women come to the center they go through a psychological evaluation, and many receiving on-going psychological support for PTSD. After some time in the center, the girls work together with the staff to determine an appropriate occupational path. Options for the girls include programs in beauty, massage, sewing, weaving, cooking, computers, and more. The Kredtrakarn staff tries to make appropriate occupational decisions considering the country of origin, since non-Thai citizens will be returned to their home countries following the completion of the program. For example, Laotian and Burmese students might learn sewing, considering the large number of legitimate sewing jobs that exist in their countries. The occupational programs last about 6 months, which allows students time to fully develop their skills.

In fact, many of the goods they create are sold at an on-site store, and students receive 70% of the income made from their products. The prices for the products they make and sell are very low, but our group made up for it in quantity….or, at least, I did.