Major Child Trafficking Broker Arrested in Bangkok

On September 5, 2025, the Special Branch Police arrested Saran (surname withheld), known as Yod, age 38, under warrant number 839/2569 issued by Bangkok Criminal Court on August 27, 2025. He faces charges of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and profiting from the prostitution of minors under 18. Police seized his social media accounts under the name Yod the Kids, which he used to advertise and sell child sexual services, along with photographs of children holding signs bearing his name, client reviews, transaction evidence, and bank account details.

The arrest followed an investigation by the Special Branch Child Protection Unit into an online network recruiting children under 18 for prostitution. Officers discovered the LINE account "Yod the Kids" operating as a broker with a defiant message: "I will never leave the sex trade." Saran used two main recruitment channels—social media and street contact near the Dan Samoeng area. He typically approached girls with offers of paid work, later revealing the true nature of the employment before negotiating rates and conditions.

Saran would then publish the child's details, photograph, and customer reviews in closed groups, requiring the children to hold signs bearing his name as proof of affiliation. He clearly identified them as being under 18 and listed their measurements, prices, restrictions, and precise locations. He charged clients a "referral fee" of 500 baht per child, 1,000 baht for three children, or 1,500 baht for unlimited referrals, separate from the child's own fee, which typically ranged from 3,000 to 5,000 baht per encounter.

During questioning, Saran confessed to having a sexual preference for children and deliberately selecting younger victims. He admitted to trafficking approximately 50 young girls to customers over time. One confirmed victim was 17 years old. Police records show Saran was previously arrested in January 2022 in a similar case involving obscene materials.