Kidnapped Karen Girl Enslaved By Cruel Thai Couple

[atyclb]

UPDATE:

KAMPHAENG PHET

Tortured slave girl learns to smile again

THANISSARA CHAOWARITROJ,

KWANRIAM KAEWSUWAN,

THAMMARACH KIJCHALONG

THE NATION

KAMPHANG PHET: -- Sympathy and support is pouring in for a Karen girl who was allegedly kidnapped, enslaved, tortured and scarred over half of her body by a couple in Kamphaeng Phet.

Her alleged attackers, Natee Taeng-orn and Rattanakorn Piyaworatham, have denied any wrongdoing and been released on bail. According to neighbours, the couple has not been seen in their neighbourhood since February 7.

The young victim told police that for about five years she had to do housework without any pay and help Rattanakorn with bathing dogs at her shop. When the girl made a mistake, she was locked up in a cage and hot water was poured on her.

Since being released, the 12-year-old victim has appeared in front of many news cameras. Her scars have attracted overwhelming public sympathy. But officials have cautioned against showing her scantily clothed body to the public because that could constitute a violation of her human rights.

"Having her wear only underpants while photos and videos were being taken could cause pressure and traumatise her [further]," Sanphasit Koompraphant, a children's rights activist, said.

"Doing so is considered against norms for child victims and witnesses under the protection of the United Nations."

But by yesterday, officials at the Kamphaeng Phet Home for Children and Families said the girl had started to smile again.

"At first, she was depressed, shaken and quiet," an official said.

Deputy Kamphaeng Phet Governor Watcharin Thongsakul yesterday brought doctors to the girl. An initial examination showed more than half of her skin surface sustained damages. In some parts, the damage had reached bone level.

"We will provide treatment for her. If necessary, we will also refer her to a more specialised medical facility," Kamphaeng Phet Hospital's director Kamchai Rangsimanpaiboon said.

The Kamphaeng Phet Home for Children and Families said the Rotary Club of Bangkok's Klong Toei had offered to pay for the treatment too.

Kamchai also disclosed that several foundations had stepped forward to help the young girl.

"We will ensure that she gets protection and rehabilitation," he said.

He added that his provincial authority would also work on the prosecution of her attackers.

Kamchai said the suspects would face an additional charge of violating the 1998 Labour Protection Act. They have already been charged with assault and illegal detention.

Labour Protection and Welfare Department director-general Pakorn Amorncheewin said if convicted of using child labour, the couple would face a maximum fine of Bt200,000 and up to one year in jail. He said the couple could also be required to pay the girl for the work she had done for them over the past five years.

-- The Nation 2013-02-13"Having her wear only underpants while photos and videos were being taken could cause pressure and traumatise her [further]," Sanphasit Koompraphant, a children's rights activist, said.

Wow No Duh? Then why the hell was it done in the first place? Oh let me see, the child was not Thai but only a Karen. They probably put that up there in the same category of one of their local soi dogs. I can assure you that if this young girl was Thai you would not have had this public circus freak show publicity. Shameful and disgusting for a country to even allow this to happen and a slap in the face to let them out on bail. Adding insult to injury was the also the story of the worthless cops returning the girl back to the monster family after she escaped the first time.

rbrooks,

I agree with you 100% but give it a rest. Bottom line is the cops simply LACK the acumen (brain power) to think of things like that. Of course we see exceptions when hiso's are involved as the cops go out of their way to smooth things. They usually only move when they sense getting money out of it. Apparently the money Pavlovian reward was not there from the poor little girl.

Edited February 13, 2013 by atyclb

[MEL1]

To the Ajarn.... 2 posts up... as I can't post the blocks.

------

I can't disagree with you more.

If you HADN'T seen the pictures, you would not be responding the way you are now!

She was not treated like an animal, as you infer. She was photographed because of the horrifics of her injuries. She is said to be doing very well now - so she obviously has adapted well to new surroundings, and she obviously has a sense that people do care, even if the police are crapping themselves, and the judges - for that matter.

She is not being treated like an animal NOW, so reflect on what you derive as Thais in their true colours. The majority, and I say over 99.9% would never engage in such cruelty. This is a major one off, for the time being, and I certainly hope it is not dropped or forgotten, and is picked up by foreign media. However, I would be extremely careful, if I were you, of banding about the words, "Thais in their true colours" - as that is very far away from truth for the majority!

Mai dai, mai dee... khun pasa Kam mai dee chon khun Thai!

-mel.

Any NORMAL society would not treat any person in such a way as to have many men photograph a naked juvenile. I mean really, do you honestly think that is ok? Just because she has been abused so much that she now SEEMS ok with it? Get real.

I'm a hard thinking man, I don't like to get emotional but this story brought a tear to my eye, not only what she has gone through but how stupidly the police allowed the press to jump on it with the photos. In any enlivened society it would have been a lot more discrete with just a female taking a couple of shots of injuries then passing appropriate photos out.

Nice words...... intellectual Shakespeare, and psychologist!

-mel.

[Arkady]

Very sickening story. I hope justice is served.

Not much hope of that. The accused were immediately released on bail which is a pretty good indication of how this is likely to go. Would be a different story if kidnapped some hi-so's

little girl, shoved her in a dog's cage and then throw scalding water on her. They wouldn't have lived long enough to even ask for bail.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just sent off an email to Anderson Cooper at CNN regarding this story.

[DocN]

On another sheet of paper:

60+ years old guy with cancer ALLEGEDLY sends 5 sms to someone...

25 years in prison!

If ever the term "Amazing Thailand" was fitting!

[jrincon17]

• sentence these people to death !
  

[Waffle]

Just sent off an email to Anderson Cooper at CNN regarding this story.

Well done to you buddy! Thats great to hear!

Guys, head over to the facebook page that someone set up and leave a comment..

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Air-alias-age-12-a-native-of-the-Burmese-Karen-ethnic-group/154209184735386

regards.

[ratcatcher]

The discussion regarding the rather thoughtless (and typical) humiliation of the girl by the police officers involved is valid. Yes, it was tactless and an invasion of her privacy. That's the 'downside'.

The positive thing, (and, I may use that term loosely) that has happened is the massive amount of worldwide publicity that these horrific pictures of her scarred body have engendered.

With this national and now international coverage, there will no doubt be sincere offers of help from burn clinics and concerned citizens everywhere. This has shocked and disgusted a huge portion of the Thai population.

In this country, I can only hope that now this has been publicized, that it will not be brushed 'under the carpet' as so often happens here when the course of justice is perverted.

[FDog]

The discussion regarding the rather thoughtless (and typical) humiliation of the girl by the police officers involved is valid. Yes, it was tactless and an invasion of her privacy. That's the 'downside'.

The positive thing, (and, I may use that term loosely) that has happened is the massive amount of worldwide publicity that these horrific pictures of her scarred body have engendered.

With this national and now international coverage, there will no doubt be sincere offers of help from burn clinics and concerned citizens everywhere. This has shocked and disgusted a huge portion of the Thai population.

In this country, I can only hope that now this has been publicized, that it will not be brushed 'under the carpet' as so often happens here when the course of justice is perverted.

Ahhh so true, you are thinking outside the square that I didn't even think of. Good.

I hope that this girl gets every bit of care she deserves, then she gets all the money she needs to spend a life of comfort with never a need to work. God/Buddha/Whover knows she is certainly a girl that deserves an easy passage is life.

[osiboy]

Why is the press taking photos of a half naked 12 year old victim?

Agree. One thing is a deranged Thai couple abusing her, but apparently it is perfectly normal for the Thai police and reporters to watch and take pictures of naked 12 year old girls and then publish them???

even worse is that i bet she was forced to do this , i mean who would agree to stand naked for the world to see such hideous scars ? so sad .

[jbrain]

The discussion regarding the rather thoughtless (and typical) humiliation of the girl by the police officers involved is valid. Yes, it was tactless and an invasion of her privacy. That's the 'downside'.

The positive thing, (and, I may use that term loosely) that has happened is the massive amount of worldwide publicity that these horrific pictures of her scarred body have engendered.

With this national and now international coverage, there will no doubt be sincere offers of help from burn clinics and concerned citizens everywhere. This has shocked and disgusted a huge portion of the Thai population.

In this country, I can only hope that now this has been publicized, that it will not be brushed 'under the carpet' as so often happens here when the course of justice is perverted.

They could also have taken the pictures by a court appointed doctor, and then handed copy's to the press.

It would have got the exact same attention and effect.

[Thai at Heart]

The discussion regarding the rather thoughtless (and typical) humiliation of the girl by the police officers involved is valid. Yes, it was tactless and an invasion of her privacy. That's the 'downside'.

The positive thing, (and, I may use that term loosely) that has happened is the massive amount of worldwide publicity that these horrific pictures of her scarred body have engendered.

With this national and now international coverage, there will no doubt be sincere offers of help from burn clinics and concerned citizens everywhere. This has shocked and disgusted a huge portion of the Thai population.

In this country, I can only hope that now this has been publicized, that it will not be brushed 'under the carpet' as so often happens here when the course of justice is perverted.

Everything needed to care for her medically and mentally is alive and well in the vast majority of Thailand.

Unfortunately, the Thai criminal justice system is stuck somewhere around the neanderthal era and actually bailed these monsters. Should i lock up my kids?

[EyesWideOpen]

The discussion regarding the rather thoughtless (and typical) humiliation of the girl by the police officers involved is valid. Yes, it was tactless and an invasion of her privacy. That's the 'downside'.

The positive thing, (and, I may use that term loosely) that has happened is the massive amount of worldwide publicity that these horrific pictures of her scarred body have engendered.

With this national and now international coverage, there will no doubt be sincere offers of help from burn clinics and concerned citizens everywhere. This has shocked and disgusted a huge portion of the Thai population.

In this country, I can only hope that now this has been publicized, that it will not be brushed 'under the carpet' as so often happens here when the course of justice is perverted.

They could also have taken the pictures by a court appointed doctor, and then handed copy's to the press.

It would have got the exact same attention and effect.

I am going to have to disagree a little bit.... :-) The Thai police by their thoughtless behavior in the taking of the photographs, in a strange way may have aided the girl. If the photos were taken in a private room by a female photographer, it simply would not have had the impact that the published photo did.

The image of a horribly burned girl standing half naked in front of a group of policemen, baring everything, has added a note of incredible tragedy to the whole affair. I would not be surprised to see this image travel throughout the world , as it is so disturbing on so many levels....

[maddas]

words fail me

[EyesWideOpen]

I have contacted for help:

CNN

Bill and Melinda Foundation

About 5 of the major pediatric burn hospitals in America

Gentlemen, any other ideas for who to contact ?? Thanks.

[Thai at Heart]

I have contacted for help:

CNN

Bill and Melinda Foundation

About 5 of the major pediatric burn hospitals in America

Gentlemen, any other ideas for who to contact ?? Thanks.

Any of the major Thai or international companies licking their lips at investing in burma. Then contact the us state department who are heading up people trafficking investigations in Thailand.

[Waffle]

I have contacted for help:

CNN

Bill and Melinda Foundation

About 5 of the major pediatric burn hospitals in America

Gentlemen, any other ideas for who to contact ?? Thanks.

BBC?

[fasteddie]

OMG! how can people behave like this? Poor little mite.

[atyclb]

Just sent off an email to Anderson Cooper at CNN regarding this story.

I have noticed a definite lack of CNN coverage that portrays Thailand in a negative light. IMO I believe it is because they do not want to jeopardize any possible offices in Thailand not to mention the male foreign staff losing "perks"

[atyclb]

May I suggest we all ask God to watch over her (as I did before sleep) and other children in the world enduring inhumanities.

Time for a prayer.

[atyclb]

Justice will not prevail. Come on this is Thailand and the couple is already out on bail after denying all charges and asking for bail. The child is a Karen native, no rights and they could care less. Check out the photo of how the reporters and Super Cops gawk and stare at her wounds. Looks more like customers at a carnival freak exhibition getting a free gaze. This young lady has been through enough humiliation and now they have to allow her to go through this and actually print the photo for the whole world to see. Where is the compassion and protection for such an abused and hurt young child?

The baseline Thai reaction to almost any situation is a "smile" regardless of how absurdly inappropriate it is. You dont see any of them smiling do you? It is adequate shock to them to curtail the "smile reflex"

[atyclb]

I have contacted for help:

CNN

Bill and Melinda Foundation

About 5 of the major pediatric burn hospitals in America

Gentlemen, any other ideas for who to contact ?? Thanks.

BBC?

Japanese TV might have a keen interest in this

[Scottish Gary]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

[meatboy]

after seeing the pictures on ch.3 tues.morning it is going to take me a long time to forget[they will be with me for life] for me this is one of the worst atrocities committed against a human being and must rank in the top ten.we all saw what happened to malala the brave 14yr.old who almost paid the ultimate price for standing up against the taliban,this for me doesnt come close to what this poor girl has endured.the worst tragedy i have seen in my life was in 1966 the aberfan disaster i was a miner then on day shift and was sent there to help with the rescue although there was nothing we could do to save the lives of poor little children[116] so i have seen some horrific sights.if any bank has a fund that has been set up would they please publish the name,account no.and i am sure so many people would like to help.

a comment from a thai mp.would help,if there hasnt been one.

[FDog]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

I understand what you are saying but what many of us are concerned about is that she had to stand there naked in front of so many.

Surely the same photos can be taken but just one person, and it should have been a female.

[DocN]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

I am not really "bothered" (well...I am very bothered, of course!) by the pictures being out in the open.

It is more the way, that they were taken in: displaying the poor girl, half naked, in front of a BUNCH of MEN, is what I find absurd.

Get her in a room with a doctor and ONE female photographer and the effect would have been the same.

[ratcatcher]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

I am not really "bothered" (well...I am very bothered, of course!) by the pictures being out in the open.

It is more the way, that they were taken in: displaying the poor girl, half naked, in front of a BUNCH of MEN, is what I find absurd.

Get her in a room with a doctor and ONE female photographer and the effect would have been the same.

I suppose you have a point?

[atyclb]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

I am not really "bothered" (well...I am very bothered, of course!) by the pictures being out in the open.

It is more the way, that they were taken in: displaying the poor girl, half naked, in front of a BUNCH of MEN, is what I find absurd.

Get her in a room with a doctor and ONE female photographer and the effect would have been the same.

In an ideal world(country) with a reasonable education, cognitive thinking, IQ baseline. Many police here simply are not bright enough, dont have enough marbles. Anyone living in Thailand would know this already and those that keep harping on it simply raise doubts about their own intellectual abilities. I am not accusing anyone of having impaired cognition but if they continue to beat a dead horse they themselves do not show the lumens of the brightest bulb.

Where poverty is the captor many a rice farmers daughter(s) just a few years older dance around naked while western men gawk or worse. Think about it!

[DocN]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

I am not really "bothered" (well...I am very bothered, of course!) by the pictures being out in the open.

It is more the way, that they were taken in: displaying the poor girl, half naked, in front of a BUNCH of MEN, is what I find absurd.

Get her in a room with a doctor and ONE female photographer and the effect would have been the same.

In an ideal world(country) with a reasonable education, cognitive thinking, IQ baseline. Many police here simply are not bright enough, dont have enough marbles. Anyone living in Thailand would know this already and those that keep harping on it simply raise doubts about their own intellectual abilities. I am not accusing anyone of having impaired cognition but if they continue to beat a dead horse they themselves do not show the lumens of the brightest bulb.

Where poverty is the captor many a rice farmers daughter(s) just a few years older dance around naked while western men gawk or worse. Think about it!

I think, this comparisson holds only little water.

[atyclb]

I think it was vital that this poor girls tortured scarred body was put on display.

The pictures are shocking and have galvanized people and organisations into helping her.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

I can only hope that she gets the medical and emotional; help she needs to try and lead some semblance of a normal life.

Does anyone know if she has been reunited with her parents.

I am not really "bothered" (well...I am very bothered, of course!) by the pictures being out in the open.

It is more the way, that they were taken in: displaying the poor girl, half naked, in front of a BUNCH of MEN, is what I find absurd.

Get her in a room with a doctor and ONE female photographer and the effect would have been the same.

In an ideal world(country) with a reasonable education, cognitive thinking, IQ baseline. Many police here simply are not bright enough, dont have enough marbles. Anyone living in Thailand would know this already and those that keep harping on it simply raise doubts about their own intellectual abilities. I am not accusing anyone of having impaired cognition but if they continue to beat a dead horse they themselves do not show the lumens of the brightest bulb.

Where poverty is the captor many a rice farmers daughter(s) just a few years older dance around naked while western men gawk or worse. Think about it!

I think, this comparisson holds only little water.

It is not intended to be an earth shattering analogy.