Officials Leak Info to Traffickers, Eight Myanmar Children Rescued
State officials were found leaking information to a human trafficking ring that forced Myanmar children to sell flowers in Bangkok’s Khaosan Road area. A police raid rescued eight victims, all of whom showed signs of physical abuse. The children have been placed in government shelters while investigations into the corrupt officials continue.
Investigators discovered a LINE chat in which government officials tipped off traffickers about upcoming police checks in the Khaosan Road area, allowing the gang to move children selling flowers to safety. Medical examinations confirmed that all eight victims had suffered physical abuse, including beatings, facial blows, strikes with hard objects, and burns from hot spoons. The victims, who had been brought from Myanmar’s Mae Sot district, were forced to sell flowers, orange juice and garlands in busy tourist spots from evening until 4 a.m., and were coached to pretend to sleep during inspections. After their rescue, the children were placed under the care of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, while authorities ordered the Office of the National Anti‑Corruption Commission to investigate the officials who assisted the trafficking network.
