Human trafficking is modern day slavery. Together with arms dealing, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world – the biggest is drugs.
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(What kind of a photo can you use for a blog post about human trafficking? I thought about it for two days, and then just decided to use my own face.)
If you’ve been to Chiang Mai, Thailand, you have probably been offered a trek to visit villages where Thailand’s indigenous people (“hill tribes”) live. Several ethnic minority groups live in the mountainous areas in Northern Thailand; some are native to Thailand and some originally came across the border from Burma, escaping the military regime.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
I went overland from Thailand to Cambodia a few days ago. I’d heard about all the scams on the Aranyaprathet to Poipet border crossing, so I went in fully prepared to be scammed. I think they’ve managed to get rid of the scammers, because this was one smooth border crossing. I hear the border is easier now than it used to be, yet people still talk about it being dodgy and full of all sorts of hazards. It’s not. It’s super easy, if you have even a little bit of common sense, and if you can be bothered to spend ten minutes online to read about the border so that you come prepared.
Photo by Darcy M
Bad things can happen when you travel. Bad things can also happen at home. Let’s be honest: you can minimize risks, but there is no guarantee that anywhere in the world will be 100% safe. You can get hit by a bus when you walk out of your own front door. Should fear stop you from travelling? No. But it is a good idea to understand the possible risks of visiting any country, or doing any activity; and to take precautions.
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