Report Major Child Trafficking Crackdown in Pattaya: Nine Minors Rescued

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Picture courtesy of Toast to Thailand

 

In a decisive crackdown on child exploitation, Pattaya authorities have successfully dismantled a trafficking ring that forced children as young as 15 to beg and sell trinkets on the city's notorious Walking Street. The operation resulted in the rescue of nine children and the arrest of seven Cambodian nationals involved in the heinous activities.

 

The operation, led by Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am alongside Pattaya City Police Chief Pol. Col. Anek Sarathongyoo and Pol. Col. Naphaspong Khotitsuriyamani, was launched in response to escalating reports of underage children being coerced into hazardous late-night work in tourist hotspots.

 

The investigation began on June 16, when undercover officers corroborated suspicions of children selling goods and begging in tourist-dense areas. The initial raid captured three Cambodians: 30-year-old Ms. Wen Nat, 23-year-old Ms. Nid Tud, and 49-year-old Ms. Sona Pon. Further investigation led to another raid, executed with a warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court at a residence in Soi Mab Yai Lia 1, where four additional suspects, including 38-year-old Dam and 54-year-old Ms. Kaew, were arrested.

 

During the operation, nine children were rescued. Among them were six Cambodian minors suspected of being victims of human trafficking and three Thai minors deemed at risk of exploitation. Nid Tud faces severe charges under the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2008, accused of facilitating and exploiting children under 15 for laborious work. She also faces charges of illegal entry and working without a permit. The other six suspects have been charged with similar immigration and employment violations under Thailand's Foreign Workers Management Act.

 

All rescued children have been placed under the protective care of Thai social welfare agencies to ensure their recovery and well-being.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira applauded the operation, describing it as a significant advancement in dismantling illegal human trafficking networks. He acknowledged, however, that some members of the ring remain at large, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.

 

"The success of this operation is a crucial step towards eradicating the exploitation networks that have plagued this region," stated Lt. Gen. Saksira. He stressed that the crime's prevalence is largely due to the profit-driven exploitation of children.

 

Authorities are urging residents, tourists, and business owners to remain vigilant and report any suspicion of child trafficking to the Tourist Police hotline, 1155, available 24/7. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to rid Pattaya's streets of traffickers who exploit children, turning them into commodities for financial gain.

 

This ongoing campaign not only seeks to bring traffickers to justice but also to raise awareness of the gross injustices faced by children who fall prey to such networks, reinforcing the need for community involvement and proactive measures in the fight against human trafficking.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-19