Three Thai children return home after Malaysia begging ordeal
Three Thai children aged 5, 11 and 12 have been rescued and returned home after being allegedly taken to Malaysia by a monk for ordination and forced begging. Four other children remain in Malaysia for court proceedings and are expected bac
SONGKHLA — Three Thai children who were allegedly taken to Malaysia by a monk to be ordained as novice monks and used for begging have returned safely to Thailand, authorities said.
The children, aged 5, 11 and 12, arrived back in Thailand after a coordinated rescue effort involving several agencies, including Thailand's Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Malaysian Embassy and the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women.
Parents wept and embraced the children upon their return.
Four other Thai children aged between 13 and 15 remain temporarily in Malaysia to testify in court proceedings and are expected to return to Thailand in early June, officials said.
Pavena Hongsakul, president of the foundation, said the organisation received complaints about the case on 9 May and immediately submitted an urgent request to the Malaysian ambassador in Thailand seeking assistance to return the children.
The foundation also coordinated with Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs and officials responsible for protecting Thai nationals overseas to gather information and monitor efforts to assist all seven children.
Authorities from the Department of Children and Youth and social development officials in Songkhla province also joined the operation.
On 12 May, the Foreign Ministry informed the foundation that three children would return to Thailand that evening. Officials from Songkhla's social development office, the Southern Border Coordination Centre and immigration police received the children at the border checkpoint in Songkhla province at 20:45.
Officals said the children were suffering from fever and exhaustion and were taken for medical examinations and rest at a child protection shelter in Songkhla for two nights before being reunited with their families.
On 18 May, the children's parents travelled from Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ratchaburi provinces to thank the foundation, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Malaysian Embassy for helping bring the children home safely.
Pavena said the foundation would continue coordinating psychological rehabilitation for the children alongside relevant agencies.
