Human trafficking in Southeast Asia : uncovering the dynamics of state commitment and compliance

In the deep jungle that lies along the border between Thailand and Malaysia are the graves of hundreds of Burmese and Bangladeshi migrants. The graves were discovered by Thai and Malay authorities in May and July 2015, near deserted camps littered with chains and barbed wire cages. Some of the camps had been abandoned for many years, others only recently.' In the village of Tah Loh, local security guard Da-oh Saengmae recounted a hunting trip during which he sighted a set of graves in the jungle a mile across the Malaysian border: "I saw small stones and leaves and branches placed on top. I was afraid. We all just got away from the area. I knew it was the refugees - who else would be buried in the jungle?".