Thailand is eager to show its newfound toughness on human trafficking, taking reporters on patrols and tours of former camps, working with neighboring countries and the United States, and arresting dozens of officials - including a high-ranking officer in the military that now controls the country. The junta even had a "National Anti-Human Trafficking Day".

The Southeast Asian country is trying to dissuade Western governments from leveling economic sanctions, but it has a daunting enemy: History.

"Thailand remains major center for human trafficking." Those words were emblazoned on a huge headline in a Thai daily newspaper printed nearly three years ago. The country's answer was largely to ignore the problem, but recent events have made that impossible.