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U.N. to review Thai trafficking status

GENEVA, Switzerland, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The United Nations is interested to hear about Thailand's progress in controlling the trafficking of people, a U.N. special envoy said.

Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, the U.N. special envoy on human trafficking, in a statement said she was visiting Thailand next week for meetings regarding human trafficking.

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"I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with the government to discuss progress and remaining challenges in the fight against trafficking in persons," she said in a statement.

Reports from the U.S. State Department suggest women and children are trafficked to the United States, Asian and European countries for sexual and labor purposes.

Reports indicate that while the practice is declining because of improved economic conditions, many women in poor Thailand communities are trafficked domestically for sexual exploitation.

Meanwhile, Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of the fugitive former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, became Thailand's prime minister-elect Friday following a vote in Parliament.

She becomes the first woman and 28th prime minister of Thailand after her Pheu Thai Party won in national elections.

Thailand's king must fist approve the election results, however.

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