Crime Mother Seeks Justice After Daughter Forced to Sell Juice Until 01:00

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Komchadluek.

 

A heart-wrenching story of child exploitation emerged this week when a distraught mother turned to the Pavena Foundation for help, revealing her nine-year-old daughter had been forced by her former partner to hawk orange juice at night until 01:00, without attending education, adequate food, or rest.

 

Ms. Noi 28, filed a formal complaint through Mrs. Pavena Hongsakul, Chairperson of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, to Pol. Col. Apichart Thongpae, Chief of Phra Pradaeng Police Station. Ms. Noi’s daughter, referred to as Miss A, had allegedly been taken away at the age of two by her former partner, Mr. Bank 29, who is not the biological father but was listed as such on the birth certificate.

 

According to the mother, Mr. Bank, supported by his own mother, raised the child under the promise of providing proper care and education. However, after years of silence and evasion, Ms. Noi discovered her daughter had been exploited, forced to walk the streets selling orange juice outside restaurants from early evening until the early hours of the morning. The child was often hungry, denied schooling and subject to physical abuse if she failed to meet sales expectations or showed fatigue.

 

Ms. Noi explained that following the couple’s separation when the child was two, she allowed the child to remain with her ex-partner’s family due to financial hardship and their insistence on raising the girl. Over time, communication dwindled, especially after the mother lost her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. The former partner and his mother moved frequently and never disclosed their new address.

 

Two years ago, the mother was shocked to see a video clip, sent by her brother, showing a young girl selling juice at night in Lad Ya, Bangkok. Recognising her daughter, she attempted to reconnect through Mr. Bank’s younger brother, who claimed the girl was “doing fine” and enrolled in school. On rare occasions, video calls were allowed, but always under supervision, with the child too frightened to speak openly.

 

The situation reached breaking point on 11 May this year when Ms. Noi’s brother, who lives in the Ekachai-Bang Bon area, received a call from a friend who had seen the girl selling juice in Suksawat. The uncle brought the child home, and she tearfully told him, “I miss Mum. I want to go live with her. I’m not allowed to go to school.” However, shortly after, Mr. Bank was informed of the situation and demanded the child be returned immediately. The uncle, fearing conflict, took the girl to a convenience store near a major shopping centre in Bang Khae, where Mr. Bank arrived an hour later, scolded and struck the child in public before taking her away.

 

A concerned citizen had previously alerted the Pavena Foundation about a similar case involving a young girl and a muscular man forcing her to sell orange juice in the Bukkhlo area. This turned out to be Mr. Bank and another daughter he had with a new partner. Authorities had been unable to locate them at the time due to their transient lifestyle.

 

Following the recent developments, Mrs. Pavena personally accompanied Ms. Noi to Phra Pradaeng Police Station to file an official complaint. She also coordinated with Ms. Anintita Rujiraprapha from the Samut Prakan Department of Social Development and Human Security and Ms. Amornrat Satabut, head of the local shelter for children and families.

 

Thanks to their combined efforts, both Mr. Bank and the child were brought in for questioning. In a deeply emotional moment, mother and daughter were finally reunited and embraced each other in tears.

 

Pol. Col. Apichart confirmed that Mr. Bank confessed to the allegations and has been charged under Section 26 (5) of the Child Protection Act, which prohibits using children for economic exploitation, including as street vendors or beggars. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three months in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khomchadluek 2025-06-08

 

 

 

[JoePai]

a maximum sentence of three months in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht

 

Pathetic   😡

[Quentin Zen]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Section 26 (5) of the Child Protection Act, which prohibits using children for economic exploitation, including as street vendors or beggars.

 

every.....................single..........................city   

[Briggsy]

Pavena Hongsakul is immortal.