Kidnap Gangs A Real Danger To Youths, Parents Warned

[george]

Kidnap gangs a real danger to youths, parents warned

BANGKOK: -- Labour Protection and Welfare Department chief Padungsak Thephasdin na Ayutthaya Wednesday warned parents nationwide of kidnapping gangs during the school break.

Seven hundred and seventy five children under 18 have gone missing in the past three years and most disappeared during the summer break according to the Royal Thai Police report, he said.

Last year alone, 82 children were reported missing and from last October to this March a further 14 children "had disappeared", he added.

Padungsak urged parents to watch out for criminals among the crowds and to tip off police about any suspicious incidents. He also asked people witnessing child labour abuses to call the Labour Ministry at 1506.

Padungsak cited a case of two young male teenagers from Buri Ram on their way to look for construction jobs in Bangkok, but were drugged in the toilets at Mor Chit bus station. They later regained consciousness on an offshore fishing boat and were told they had been sold for Bt10,000 each and to work without payment for seven months, he said.

In the end, the department helped them out and got the Social Development and Human Security Ministry to give them assistance money Bt1,900 each. The pair returned to Buri Ram where the labour office provided them with vocational training.

-- The Nation 2007-04-18

[Scott]

The numbers need to be broken down carefully and missing persons need to be put in the right categories. Some are forcefully abducted and this is a very serious crime. Some have more simply run away (many with a boyfriend/girlfriend). These are of concern, but there immediate welfare and jeopardy is less tenuous.

Others are "lured" away from home, which can be serious. One of the problems in Thailand is that a lot of people don't do things alone. Thus one younster "lured" away from home, may talk a friend in to accompanying them, although the friend may not have any idea what is really going on.

A third issue, which is also serious is that of "throw away" children. Children who are no longer wanted by their families or where the family has disintegrated to the point where the absence of the child is no longer noted or cared about, are also a big social problem. Unfortunately, many of these children are never reported and end up on the streets.

[Gravelrash]

If back home there was ever such a thing reported there would be a nationwide outrage. I doubt any government would survive not being able to resolve quickly and publicly. Yet here it is frequently reported, we get advisaries from schools to be careful and it seems to be common knowledge amoungst the population. Despite perhaps questionable numbers, it would seem something is going on.

The questions begs, what is being done about it? Where is the outrage? I know some postulate it as an urban myth, I personally take little comfort in that as a possibility?

[FreedomDude]

Seven hundred and seventy five children under 18 have gone missing in the past three years and most disappeared during the summer break according to the Royal Thai Police report, he said.

Last year alone, 82 children were reported missing and from last October to this March a further 14 children "had disappeared", he added.

At least the situation is improving dramatically. Sounds like there were an average of roughly 350 missing in 2004 and 2005 and only 82 in 2006.

Sorry, I'm just some dorky Math teacher.

[WaiWai]

The following comes from Chiangmai Citylife :

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Human trade in the north still severe

The situation concerning human trade, especially children and women, is still at alarming levels in the north of Thailand even after much international pressure to curb human trafficking. At the moment 17 provinces located in the north of Thailand are preparing to sign an agreement dealing with prevention and solutions in this problem that taints Thailand and many other developing countries.

Yesterday, Amornpan Nimanan, the Chiang Rai governor, officiated over the signing of a memorandum to solve the problem with other officials at the Rim Kok Resort, Chiang Rai, in the hope that officials will operate with positive attitudes and their efficiency be accelerated in the prevention of human trading. On this occasion, the governor explained about the severity of human trade problems which is increasing in Thailand. Thailand is an entrance from which the victims are led to other countries which have better economic systems and it is a popular destination for trade with neighbouring countries which have unsteady economies. The governor also mentioned that child kidnapping problems have been happening in many regions for many years. “Chiang Rai is now governing all Tambon administrations asking all officials to observe unusual activities in communities for the prevention of kidnappings in local areas”

The agreement for the prevention of human trade will be signed on 8th May 2007 by 17 provinces in the north at The Impress Hotel, Chiang Mai.

Jirat Prasertsup

Fri Apr 27, 2007