PATTAYA, THAILAND – A shocking discovery was made on the morning of October 10 in South Pattaya: a newborn baby, estimated to be just three to four hours old, was found abandoned in a hotel staff dormitory. The infant, wrapped only in a green shirt and lying atop a fertilizer sack, was heard crying loudly when discovered.
Early Morning Discovery in a Dark Corridor
At around 7:50 a.m., Pattaya City Police responded to an emergency call from a three-and-a-half-story building on Soi 18, South Pattaya Road, used as accommodation for hotel employees. The newborn was found by 56-year-old resident Ms. Noi, who reported hearing loud cries at about 7:00 a.m. “I was alarmed because none of the residents have young children or are pregnant,” she told police. Using her phone’s flashlight, she searched the dim mezzanine and found the baby boy lying on a white fertilizer sack.
Baby in Stable Condition, Umbilical Cord Intact
The male infant was wrapped only in a light green shirt, with his umbilical cord still attached and traces of blood visible on his body. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation estimated the baby was just three to four hours old. Paramedics immediately contacted Pattaya City Hospital, where doctors confirmed the baby was in good health and weighed approximately 2.3 kilograms.
Police Launch Investigation to Find Mother
Investigators from Pattaya City Police are now reviewing surveillance footage in the area to identify the person responsible for abandoning the child. Authorities believe the baby was brought from elsewhere and secretly left in the dormitory. A police spokesperson stated, “We will identify the parents responsible for this act and pursue legal action under child protection and abandonment laws.” Abandoning a child is a criminal offense in Thailand, punishable by imprisonment.
What Will Happen to the Baby?
The infant remains under medical supervision at the hospital. Once discharged, social services will be involved to ensure his welfare. Typically, abandoned children in Thailand are placed in foster care or children’s homes.
Police are appealing to the public: “Anyone with information that could help identify those involved is urged to come forward.” Any tip could be crucial in determining the baby’s fate.
Support for Desperate Mothers
This incident highlights a persistent issue in Thailand: desperate mothers abandoning their newborns. However, alternatives exist—charities offer anonymous births and baby hatches where mothers can safely surrender their children.