This hand out picture released by MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) and taken on June 25 shows Asian pop sensation Super Junior M (C) and members of his band performing at a concert in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. - AFP PHOTO

CHIANG MAI: Asian pop sensation Super Junior M have joined the fight against human trafficking at a concert for thousands of screaming fans in northern Thailand.

Six stars from the hit South Korean and Chinese boy band performed favourites such as “Super Girl” at the gig late Saturday to raise awareness and increase prevention of the global scourge.

Organisers MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) estimated that 20,000 young people - many decked in waterproof ponchos and waving banners for their heart-throbs - attended, despite bad weather.

“We were thrilled to perform for such a huge crowd,” said the subgroup of Super Junior, the group that has taken Asia by storm at the forefront of the Korean or “K-pop” craze.

“We are excited to join the MTV EXIT campaign to inspire young people across Asia to join the fight against human trafficking.”Most of the world's 2.5 million trafficked victims are in the Asia and the Pacific, according to the UN.

It is the second-largest illegal trade in the world after drugs, thought to generate billions of dollars in yearly profits through the buying and selling of human beings.

Many victims - especially women lured by the prospect of finding legal work abroad - end up as prostitutes in the region's notorious red-light areas.

Thailand is said to be a source, destination and transit point for trafficking, with ethnic minorities and citizens of neighbouring countries at particular risk of sexual abuse or forced labour.