It states women become dependent on their traffickers due to language and cultural barriers.
"As a result, they are susceptible to forced prostitution and subjected to the control of pimps, brothel owners and criminal networks aided by corrupt state officials."
Mr Maiava has proposed introducing community policing as a way of combating this trade. He says recruiting Burmese men and women into these policing units would help break down language barriers.
"It would also help dispel entrenched mistrust, fear of authority and stigma experienced by victims of sex trafficking, which deters them from seeking help through the police and justice systems."
He says community policing has already proven to be a successful tool in places like Singapore and the Philippines.
"The advantage of community policing is its focus on improving the quality of life by working in partnership with communities to find practical, sustainable solutions to crime and social ills," he says. "But its success depends on a major culture shift within a policing organisation."
Thailand passed anti-trafficking legislation in 2007 and although this was a base for the prevention of sex work, Mr Maiava says the policy is "mere rhetoric".
Thailand's first female tourism minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, announced earlier this year Thailand was closed to the sex trade.
She stated Thailand should be known as a female-friendly tourist destination, and this was precipitated by police raids which saw the closure of a major Bangkok massage parlour. More than 100 sex workers were arrested, including 15 underage girls.
Mr Maiava says human trafficking is a multi-faceted issue encompassing human rights, migration, globalisation, inequality, poverty, crime and corruption. As a result of his studies, Mr Maiava has been awarded top student in Massey University's Master of International Security programme.