Thailand: Police dismantle child beggar trafficking ring in Pattaya

A gang that exploited children to beg and sell trinkets to tourists has been busted in Pattaya in eastern Thailand.

Police rescued nine children and arrested seven Cambodians in a large-scale operation.

A network dismantled after several days of surveillance

On June 18, tourist police officials announced the operation, calling it a major blow to a child labor ring operating in Thailand's tourist hotspots.

Under the leadership of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, officers conducted the raid after receiving reports of underage children being forced to work on the streets late at night.

The investigation began on June 16, when undercover officers confirmed their suspicions about children under 15 selling goods and begging in areas frequented by tourists, particularly around Walking Street.

The first arrest resulted in the arrest of three Cambodian women: Ms. Wen Nat, 30, Ms. Nid Tud, 23, and Ms. Sona Pon, 49.

But it didn't stop there.

Armed with a search warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court, officers raided a house in Soi Mab Yai Lia 1 and arrested four other suspects, including Dam, 38, and Ms. Kaew, 54.

Nine children rescued, seven adults arrested

Nine children were rescued during the raid: six Cambodian children believed to be victims of trafficking and three Thai minors considered at risk of exploitation.

Nid Tud faces the most serious charges under the 2008 Anti-Human Trafficking Act, for "facilitating, buying, selling or exploiting children under the age of 15 in hazardous work or services."

She is also charged with illegal entry and working without a permit.

This case has rekindled concerns about child exploitation networks in Thailand's tourist areas, where organized begging remains a scourge that is difficult to eradicate.

See also:

Cambodian gang used very young children to beg in Thailand

Thailand: Beggar arrested in Bangkok with 1.3 million baht

Thailand: Pattaya police crack down on illegal immigrant beggars

Thailand faces surge in foreign beggars

Many foreign beggars arrested in Pattaya, Thailand

Begpacker: Backpacker beggars return to Thailand and the rest of Asia

Source: The Thaiger