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Abstract

The research project “Thailand and Non-Traditional Security: Human Trafficking,
Irregular Migration, Transnational Crime, and Cyber Crime” aims to study how Thailand copes

with current and prospective non-tradition security challenges, covering human trafficking,

irregular migration, and cybersecurity, which can be considered transnational crime. This
analysis begins with exploring the status of problems, then examining national mechanism in

Thailand, cooperation in ASEAN, Thailand’s bilateral cooperation and best practices from other

countries, as well as policy recommendations. The findings are the followings: Thailand needs
effective and comprehensive policies and measures to tackle these non-traditional security

threats. This also requires cooperation with partner countries, especially as an ASEAN member,

to deal with dynamic and challenging problems collectively. While human trafficking has
become a “national agenda,” Thailand must enhance mechanism from “ad-hoc” (based on

the current government policy) to be more institutionalized as a permanent agency to building

up capacity. ASEAN Practitioner Guidelines can be the key for sustainable capacity-building.
Moreover, Thailand needs to play an active role in initiating “protection regime” which consists

of non-binding instruments and mechanism, such as “declaration” and “action plan.” These

documents could help develop common definition and seek effective and sustainable
approaches in resolving migration issues nationally and regionally in ASEAN. Lastly, for

cybersecurity, Thailand should prioritize capacity-building by establishing fund or national

agency to train more experts, create awareness for safe personal use, integrate the work of all
relevant governmental agencies, as well as harmonize ASEAN countries on the basis of

universal values with an optional or voluntary by each member state which has different

context. To sum up, Thailand should use this opportunity as the ASEAN Chair to contribute
actively in handling non-traditional security challenges as “common issues” by utilizing existing

bilateral and ASEAN cooperation. Furthermore, ASEAN dialogue partners could be major

collaborators in helping Thailand and ASEAN enhance this cooperation.

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