Dhaka is planning to put forward a proposal to Bangkok to form a bilateral forum to address the irregular movement of people from Bangladesh to Thailand.
With the growing number of human trafficking incidents through sea originating from Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia through Thailand has occurred in the recent time Dhaka wants to address it bilaterally, said an official of the Foreign Ministry.
Dhaka wants to put forward the idea in the first ever foreign secretary level meeting, popularly known as Foreign Office Consultation (FoC) with Bangkok to be held on June 25.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque will have a meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Thai Foreign Ministry Norachit Sinhaseni Thursday when the issue will be discussed.
Bangladesh on May 29 expressed its intention to address the irregular movement of people issue regionally.
“We want to address the issue bilaterally and regionally,” the Foreign Ministry official said.
There are roughly 30–35% of Bangladeshis among the human trafficking victims and Bangladesh is ready to take back them stranded in Thailand and other countries within the shortest possible time, he said.
During the last 12 months, over 1,000 Bangladeshi victims came back to Dhaka from Bangkok.
In the first FoC, both sides will discuss cooperation in political, economical, security and connectivity areas.
“Bangladesh wants to have direct access to Thailand through road and sea routes,” another Foreign Ministry official said.
Dhaka can be connected by roads with Bangkok through Yangoon and it would boost trade and people-to-people contact, he said.
Chittagong or Mongla port is not connected with Ranon port in Thailand and if any connection can be established, traders can save lot of money due to direct shipment, he added.
About the economic cooperation, Dhaka wants to have an agreement with Bangkok for the recruitment of construction workers and fishermen for the Southeast Asian country.
“We do not expect to sign the instrument in this FoC but want to take forward the discussion as much as possible,” the official said.