Three Children Safely Return to Thailand After Being Deceived by Monk into Ordination and Money Extortion in Malaysia
Three Thai children deceived by a Buddhist monk into ordination in Malaysia have been safely returned to Thailand after coordinated rescue efforts by government agencies and the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation, with four other children remaini
Three Thai children aged 5, 11, and 12 who were deceived by a Buddhist monk into ordination as novices and defrauded in Malaysia have safely returned to Thailand on May 18, 2569, bringing joy to their parents and guardians.
The successful rescue was made possible through coordinated efforts by multiple agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Malaysian Embassy, and the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women. Four other children aged 13-15 remain temporarily in Malaysia to serve as court witnesses, with expected return to Thailand in early June.
Ns. Paveena Hongsakul, chairwoman of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, revealed that after receiving a complaint on May 9, the foundation immediately sent urgent correspondence to the Malaysian Ambassador requesting expedited assistance. The foundation coordinated with the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Director Amnaij Palapleewal and Diplomat Monthon Chansiri to gather information and monitor all seven children's cases.
The foundation also worked closely with the Department of Child and Youth Affairs and the Songkhla Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security.
On May 12, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that three children would return that night. Officials from the Songkhla Border Region Coordination Center and Songkhla Immigration Police traveled to the border to receive the children at 20:45. The mother of the 5-year-old boy cried and embraced her son with overwhelming joy upon reunion.
Initially, the children showed signs of fever and exhaustion. Officials immediately conducted medical examinations and arranged two nights of recovery at the Songkhla Child and Family Shelter before reuniting them with their families.
Today, parents from Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ratchaburi provinces visited Ns. Paveena Hongsakul to express their gratitude to the foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the Malaysian Embassy for bringing their children safely home.
Ns. Paveena confirmed that the foundation will continue monitoring and coordinating psychological rehabilitation for all three children with relevant agencies, and thanked all stakeholders for their integrated efforts in safely and swiftly reuniting the Thai children with their families.
