Phuket hosts regional workshop on stronger witness protection

More than 200 participants joined the Regional Workshop to Exchange Progress and Best Practices in Witness Protection at the Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa from 6 to 9 September.

The workshop was formally opened on 7 September by Piyasiri Wattanavrangkul, permanent secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Justice. Delegations from Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia took part in person and online.

Piyasiri said increasingly complex cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, corruption, money laundering and cybercrime, had made international cooperation on witness protection more important. He said witnesses and victims needed to be able to provide information to justice authorities without compromising their safety.

The workshop focused on sharing experience and identifying common approaches to witness protection, including challenges faced by agencies in Southeast Asia. Sessions covered Australia’s witness protection practices, updates on programmes in Southeast Asian countries, and the development of regional best practices and standards.

The meeting aimed to establish practical guidelines for participating countries and improve cooperation when witness protection cases cross national borders. Traiyarit Temhiwong, director-general of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, said it was intended to strengthen cooperation between witness protection agencies and establish common practices for future cross-border cases.