Thailand's government said on Monday it is not ignoring the slavery and forced labor in its lucrative shrimp industry that was highlighted in an Associated Press investigation published last week.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, flanked by police, navy and other officials, held a news conference specifically to address issues raised by the AP story.

The report has elicited widespread reaction around the world, including from major food companies in the US, Europe and Australia that buy Thai seafood.