Street Children

[RedShoes99]

I recently moved to Bangkok relatively recently and am slowly becoming more aware of the reality facing street children. As a 23 year old female, I have spent a few too many nights on Khao San but my call for social justice does not disappear while enjoying a cold one. In the past few weeks I have been getting to know one young girl who sells flowers on and around Khao San. Her name is Jamilla and she has a heart of gold. When I first met her she asked me to buy a flower. No I said but we began to play with each other like I do with so many of my young cousins back in the States. It started as a joke, I told her I wanted her to be my daughter. "No," she said, "Me have mom and dad." "Of course you do," I said, "And they probably love you." But the next few times I saw her she started telling me about the truth that has brought her to the streets late at night. Her mother and father abandoned her and her older sister and a older man force her to sell flowers and then take the money. This was not a huge shock but my heart fell into pieces when she asked if I could be her mommy. She said, "Please, I live with you."

I think I would have taken her that night but I had to go to Cambodia to get a B Visa. I said I would be back on Tuesday and would have a plan. But I have no plan. I don't know what to do. I don't mind having her live with me, but I feel like there are definitely laws against that and it would not really tackle the problem. It's like the story of the dead babies that kept flowing down the river. Someone would take the babies out and give them a proper burial but it wasn't until someone walked up the mountain to see what was happening that it could be stopped.

Is there an orphanage that helps these children? How can I help Jamilla?

Thank you in advance for any information,

Abigale

[Grawburg]

I've come close to picking up a drugged little baby I see with different "mothers" every few weeks near my house. Interested to see where this thread goes....

[random]

I suppose as a woman you are less likely to be labeled a pedo, As a man I find it best to steer clear as even an innocent action could be misconstrued.

Good luck with trying to help though.

[rijb]

I thought the advice you received on the Ajarn forum was pretty good - buy the dam_n flower!

[richard_smith237]

Perhaps there are avenues for you to legally adopt the child with the consent of the parents ?

I'm assuming this may 'cost a little' - i.e. the sister may require some money as a 'lost of earnings' fee etc and a lawyer would be required. Additionally I have no idea whether or not this is legal, but assume there are avenues one may be able to pursue.

Good luck.

[Tropicalevo]

Please be careful before you do anything - and take legal advice from a reputable lawyer.

Nothing is what it first seems in Thailand.

[beejoir]

Mercy Centre in Bangkok would take her, but she's probably trying to hustle you.... its just the way it goes.... www.mercycentre.org

[elshaheen]

I've come close to picking up a drugged little baby I see with different "mothers" every few weeks near my house. Interested to see where this thread goes....

Yes, there is a woman over at the Siam BTS stairs going exiting to Siam Square. People have seen her insert a needle into the child's / babies neck to give it some sort of sudation drug. Talk about child abuse.

Quite frankly, give the child some food or water, milk or some other sustaining substance instead of money.

[onnut]

Mercy Centre in Bangkok would take her, but she's probably trying to hustle you.... its just the way it goes.... www.mercycentre.org

you beat me to it.

I think if you try to help this girl you will find out how depraved people can be. this girl is making money for somebody and you will take that away. there is no right or wrong with these types of people and you may well end up regretting getting involved. if you want to help her, buy her some nice clothes and feed her.

next time you see her though, dont be suprised if the clothes have been sold on.

[kuffki]

The known facts are that most of the beggers and the flower sellers are not even Thai but Cambodian.

It is also a fact that its rather mafia run and controlled.

The sad part is that this child is used by someone for whatever reason.

What you do not know is if she is telling the truth or if someone has taught her what to say.

She clearly speaks English, so she had to learn it somewhere, She does get the flowers from someone.

I applaud you for your efforts, but you are in a tough situation. Perhaps if you really worry about her and her story is true, take her to Pattaya Father Ray Orphanage.

It is a very nice place, where kids have school and lots of visits from the locals. If there is someone controlling her, they may not be bothered to travel so far, or may not be able to find out, and if they do, Orphanage in Pattaya is well known and connected, not to mention police station is just around the corner.

So perhaps this will change her life for the best, providing that her parents really left her.

I would tell them at orphanage the full story, so they would be aware if someone came to take her.

Best of luck and hope all works out for the best for both of you

[ThaiRich]

The known facts are that most of the beggers and the flower sellers are not even Thai but Cambodian.

It is also a fact that its rather mafia run and controlled.

The sad part is that this child is used by someone for whatever reason.

What you do not know is if she is telling the truth or if someone has taught her what to say.

She clearly speaks English, so she had to learn it somewhere, She does get the flowers from someone.

I applaud you for your efforts, but you are in a tough situation. Perhaps if you really worry about her and her story is true, take her to Pattaya Father Ray Orphanage.

It is a very nice place, where kids have school and lots of visits from the locals. If there is someone controlling her, they may not be bothered to travel so far, or may not be able to find out, and if they do, Orphanage in Pattaya is well known and connected, not to mention police station is just around the corner.

So perhaps this will change her life for the best, providing that her parents really left her.

I would tell them at orphanage the full story, so they would be aware if someone came to take her.

Best of luck and hope all works out for the best for both of you

Actually this is true a majority of the time...... But being a woman you can help. Whereas a man trying to help or truely caring would be considered a pedo. Don't give her money. Invite her to join you for a meal, buy her some milk.

But some advice. Try to toughen up a bit. There are many children in this same situation. It's not pretty and it rips your heart out. But, you can't help all of them unless your rich. You mentioned going to get a non B visa. So, I;m guessing your gonna be working here and that your not rich. If you choose to help. Focus on this particular child and do something for here. As the posters here have let you know there are many organizations here in bKK that will help children. So, there is a place for them. They just have to be taken to it.

Edited November 14, 2010 by ThaiRich

[geriatrickid]

No point in helping the child as another one will soon take its place. It's alot like soi dogs. Once the population reaches a certain amount other dogs are chased off. That is why spay and release programs are more effective than adoption programs. The beggers all work in designated territories with "rent" paid to the local police authorities. There are child protection laws in place for Thailand, however they are not enforced. Ask yourself why the laws are not enforced and then ask yourself if it is really going to help if you start at the bottom of the pile rather than the source of the problem. If you are really that concerned go and visit the ministry responsible for child and family services and make your concerns known. Go and visit the local police station and tell the commanding officer of your concerns. After you experience the enthusiastic response, perhaps you will understand that there is nothing you can do in this specific case. If you want to help, then go and contribute to one of the women's NGOs or orphanages that give a child a shot at a better life. At least there you will be assisting people that know what they are doing and are better able to deal with an emotionally and physically abused child. I do not think you are going to be able to deal with the behavioural problems and disease load that the street child will be carrying.

[FritsSikkink]

Asnwer in the phuket gazette a couple days ago about a boy instead of a girl:

“If the boy and the foreigner wanting to adopt are not related at all, it is against the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which states: “Each State should take, as a matter of priority, appropriate measures to enable the child to remain in the care of his or her family of origin.”

Subsequently, it is also against the Thai laws promulgated under the Child Adoption Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003).

Hence, I don’t recommend it as it is against the law and it will look like a child-trafficking case.

It is okay to adopt this boy if he is an orphan or related to the foreigner by blood.

However, a foreigner who marries a Thai already with child can adopt that child, as well as children of his spouse’s relatives.

If the mother cannot look after her child, she can contact the Department of Social Development and Welfare in Phuket for help.

We can support her in taking care her child within her family.

We can also provide money to support them.

If the mother is genuinely incapable of looking after her child, we can do so for her temporarily.

Any foreigners interested in adopting orphans can contact us and discuss with us in person at the Child Adoption Center in Bangkok (Tel: 02-354 7509, 02-354 7515; W: www.adoption.dsdw.go.th).

Those interested are also advised to read:

• the guidelines at http://www.adoption.dsdw.go.th/adoption-03-01-e.html, and

• the required documents at http://www.adoption.dsdw.go.th/adoption-03-02-e.html”

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Prapimdao Satake, chief of the Inter-Country Department of the Child Adoption Center at the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand

[bagus]

I hope you have good luck.

I can tell you a similar history.

I don't live in Thailand; I'm just a frequent visitor. Some years ago - 2003- a little girl trayed to sell me flowers: Then she was 7 years old. Now she's 15 years old, lives with me and my wife in Spain, she's like our daughter - we feel so- study here and; I think; she's happy and having a life like other normal children here.

We have a surrender of custody from her mother - she has not father- and is Spanish legal resident.

We are in touch regulary with her relatives from Thailand. And we visit thailand twince or three times a year.

So, I can understand you very well.

But; please, take care about your actions. And, maybe, before to do anything, you would compile all the legal information as possible of Thai and your country laws about the matter.

(Please; apologize my abominable English.)

[RedShoes99]

Thanks for all your responses. I agree that this is a sticky situation but I want to learn more about the infrastructure and rules, maybe there are some holes that would allow me to help. Does anyone know of a reputable lawyer who I could talk to?

[Mario2008]

If you are not married and also if you are not at least 15 years older than the girl, forget adoption.

A good place where you can ask for help for the child is the duang prateep foundation: http://en.dpf.or.th/

[Kilgore Trout]

I've come close to picking up a drugged little baby I see with different "mothers" every few weeks near my house. Interested to see where this thread goes....

Yes, there is a woman over at the Siam BTS stairs going exiting to Siam Square. People have seen her insert a needle into the child's / babies neck to give it some sort of sudation drug. Talk about child abuse.

Quite frankly, give the child some food or water, milk or some other sustaining substance instead of money.

From my experience if the kid's "owner" finds out she consumed any food/beverage given to her she will probable have the sh*t beaten out of her. Up to you.

[needforspeed]

Perhaps there are avenues for you to legally adopt the child with the consent of the parents ?

I'm assuming this may 'cost a little' - i.e. the sister may require some money as a 'lost of earnings' fee etc and a lawyer would be required. Additionally I have no idea whether or not this is legal, but assume there are avenues one may be able to pursue.

Good luck.

We (me and my Girlfriend) adopted a boy 5 years ago, not expensive only a lots of paperwork and time, but at the end it is all worth it.

I agree try to do the legal way, as it maybe causes you many problems here.

NFS

[RedShoes99]

NFS-

Thanks for the post. Did you need a lawyer to do this?

[RedShoes99]

NFS

Thanks for the post. Did you need a lawyer to do this?

[needforspeed]

NFS

Thanks for the post. Did you need a lawyer to do this?

Dear RedS,

I did this with my girlfriend, i can speak Thai as well that makes it all more easy.

I would first get the information on differend websites there you get some good information about procedures and good laywers.

Wish good luck,

NFS

[RedShoes99]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. I really appreciate it! The Mercy Centre was a great lead and they are going to help me figure out how to help Jamilla. I realize I cannot change everything but hopefully I can gain some insight on the reality of Street kids in Bangkok.

[GooEng]

I hope you have good luck.

I can tell you a similar history.

I don't live in Thailand; I'm just a frequent visitor. Some years ago - 2003- a little girl trayed to sell me flowers: Then she was 7 years old. Now she's 15 years old, lives with me and my wife in Spain, she's like our daughter - we feel so- study here and; I think; she's happy and having a life like other normal children here.

We have a surrender of custody from her mother - she has not father- and is Spanish legal resident.

We are in touch regulary with her relatives from Thailand. And we visit thailand twince or three times a year.

So, I can understand you very well.

But; please, take care about your actions. And, maybe, before to do anything, you would compile all the legal information as possible of Thai and your country laws about the matter.

(Please; apologize my abominable English.)

well done!

[GooEng]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. I really appreciate it! The Mercy Centre was a great lead and they are going to help me figure out how to help Jamilla. I realize I cannot change everything but hopefully I can gain some insight on the reality of Street kids in Bangkok.

i think that realizing that you can't change the world but still deciding to do SOMETHING and taking the steps you are is admirible and i applaud you - best of luck.

[rgs2001uk]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. I really appreciate it! The Mercy Centre was a great lead and they are going to help me figure out how to help Jamilla. I realize I cannot change everything but hopefully I can gain some insight on the reality of Street kids in Bangkok.

If you wish to gain some insight into the realities of these street kids and watch their effin scum handlers, minders, owners or whatever other name they go by in action try the following.

Go to the Dynasty Inn on Suk soi 4, any time after 7pm, its on your left hand side just after the enterance to the Nana Plaza, take a seat at the outside bar and order a drink.

You will observe about 5 or 6 of these urchins in action, look over in front of you on the opposite side off the road to the right hand side, right next to the internet shop is a travel agent, the handlers of these kids are usually sat there, at least 2 women and one man, all middle aged, hard to tell they could be older.

These scum can been seen passing the time away eating and drinking, every so often the children will be called over to deposit whatever money they have earned then sent back on their way.

These kids and their handlers seem to operate with impunity, and will be in action til well after midnight.

Last year I and others watched one of these kids being knocked down by a taxi as the kid ran out into the road without looking, taxi sped off of course.

My mrs was so disgusted she walked down to the police box at the corner of soi 4 to complain, total disinterest, she was given one of those 11XX numbers and told to call that if she had any issues, wife called, nothing happened, called again nothing happened.

Its pretty hard banging your head against someone elses wall.

[MSingh]

What would you think if you found out that her name was not really Jamilla ?? What that alter anything for you ??

[balo]

Give her some money or food , this is the daily life to thousands of kids in Thailand. Most of them survive but its not a happy life for a kid.

[needforspeed]

Give her some money or food , this is the daily life to thousands of kids in Thailand. Most of them survive but its not a happy life for a kid.

Where you think the money is going .

[needforspeed]

What would you think if you found out that her name was not really Jamilla ?? What that alter anything for you ??

Doesn't matter what her name is, she just want to help her.

[bagus]

Not all the cases are equal.

Once I had my daughter, I'm very interested about this situations. So, when I stay in Thailand; I observe a lot about this childs. I have a lot of chats with the childs, and the people around his actuation areas, owner of shops, bar staffs, owner of street stands, etc..

Believe me; I'm a patient a good observer:

Following my experience there some difernt situations.

Sometimes - the best of the cases- the cild works just to give aid to his poor family. But, on this cases, the child works just on weekends. The dark face: normally only the child is the worker: the family or relatives just are waiting for the child, and obiously for the money. It's not the hardest situation. The family look after child like all the families.

Some childs are handle by the "mafias", I think I don't need to explain you how strond can be the child situation then.

Many of the childs -specially if they don't have parents- the product of the child sales is for some relatives.who are just interested on the money; and don't care about the child.

On the two last cases; normally the child can't leave the work untill to do a fixed number of solds. If he don't reach the "goal", thes will be beaten or punihsed.

Well,... maybe you must to have all information as possible. have little chats with the people around the zone where the child works every day. Once you have a whole knowledge about the child situation, then you can made a right decission.

Pleaae, apologize again my terrible English: