Couple arrested for forcing children to beg for nine years
NAKHON PATHOM — Police have arrested a husband and wife accused of operating a child begging network that allegedly exploited minors for up to nine years, forcing them to wear school uniforms, meet daily cash targets or risk abuse.
The arrests were announced on Thursday by Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), following an operation led by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD).
The suspects, identified only as Artorn, 36, and Pimwimon, 32, were apprehended at a house in tambon Ta Kong of Muang district under Criminal Court warrants issued on March 11 this year. They face multiple charges, including human trafficking for the purpose of forced begging, coercion of minors into inappropriate behaviour and exploitation of children.
The pair trafficked children under the age of 18 and forced them to beg for money at busy public locations, including markets around Phra Pathom Chedi, temple fairs and concerts in Nakhon Pathom and nearby provinces, as well as Pattaya, ATPD chief Wittaya Sriprasert said.
To elicit sympathy from the public, the children were made to wear school uniforms while begging. Donation boxes were fitted with Quick Response (QR) codes linked directly to the suspects’ bank accounts, allowing passers-by to transfer money digitally.
The children were required to keep detailed records of donations, including photographing transfer slips as proof. Those who failed to meet expectations or provide evidence of income were subjected to verbal abuse, threats and physical punishment.
During a raid, police seized more than 52,000 baht in cash — mostly in 20-baht notes — along with two cars, six motorcycles, two motorcycle sidecars, three baht-weight of gold, donation boxes, school uniforms and QR code stickers.
They also rescued three boys aged 11, 16 and 17, who had been trapped in the operation for three to nine years.
According to Pol Maj Gen Wittaya, the children were denied formal education and made to perform household chores during the day before being sent out to beg from 6pm until 2am daily. The suspects denied all charges.
The rescued children have been placed under protection with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
The suspects and all seized evidence were handed over to investigators of ATPD’s sub-division 5 for legal proceedings.
Source – Bangkok News
