Two Thai monks were arrested in Kedah, Malaysia, for allegedly trafficking children from Thailand for ordination and soliciting donations. The arrest on April 7 followed an in-depth investigation by Malaysian police, who had monitored the monks’ activities over four years. These monks reportedly persuaded children to cross borders, sometimes without proper documentation, to join a temple in Malaysia.
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The children, aged between seven and 15, were then made to collect donations from local and foreign visitors. On the day of the arrest, 22 children were found being transported into Malaysia. Seven of these children, lacking valid entry documents, were detained while the remaining 17, with proper documentation, were sent back to Thailand.
The parents of the detained children have reached out to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women for assistance. Among them, a mother named Ann revealed that her five-year-old son was taken from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Malaysia under false assurances of safe passage without a passport. The disappearance and subsequent detention of her son prompted her plea for intervention.
The founder of the Pavena Foundation, Paveena Hongsakul, has pledged to work with the Malaysian Embassy to verify the children’s situation and facilitate their return. This incident highlights the potential dangers of trusting seemingly reputable figures without proper verification, emphasizing the need for stricter guidelines and oversight in cross-border travel involving minors.
As investigations continue, authorities in both Thailand and Malaysia are expected to collaborate closely to prevent future occurrences.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 08 May 2026