NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND – Police arrested a married couple accused of running a years-long child begging network that allegedly forced minors to meet daily cash targets and abused them if they fell short.
Arrests announced by Central Investigation Bureau
The arrests were announced on Thursday by Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, chief of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The operation was carried out by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), which specialised in cases of human trafficking and exploitation.
According to investigators, the couple were suspected of systematically exploiting children for forced begging over an extended period. The minors were allegedly required to wear school uniforms, meet set income quotas and faced threats or physical punishment when they failed to do so.
Suspects identified and charges detailed
The suspects were identified as Artorn (36) and Pimwimon (32), who were arrested at a house in Tambon Ta Kong in Muang district of Nakhon Pathom. Arrest warrants for the pair had been issued by the Criminal Court on 11 March.
Investigators listed human trafficking for the purpose of forced begging and the exploitation of children as central charges. The case was being treated as a serious violation of laws protecting minors from economic and physical abuse.
Children deployed to busy markets, temple fairs and Pattaya
According to ATPD chief Pol Maj Gen Wittaya Sriprasert, children under 18 were allegedly taken to crowded locations and forced to beg. The sites included markets around Phra Pathom Chedi, temple fairs and concerts in Nakhon Pathom and neighbouring provinces.
The network also reportedly sent children to work in Pattaya, a major tourist destination on Thailand’s eastern coast. Authorities said the focus on high-traffic areas suggested a systematic effort to maximise daily takings.
School uniforms and QR codes used to solicit donations
To generate sympathy, the children were required by the suspects to wear school uniforms, police said. They then asked passers-by for donations while appearing to be regular students in need.
Donation boxes were equipped with QR codes that were directly linked to bank accounts controlled by the suspects. This allowed members of the public to transfer money digitally, integrating modern payment methods into the alleged scheme.
Tight control, proof of income and violence over shortfalls
Investigators stated that the children had to keep detailed records of their income. This included photographing transfer slips as proof of digital donations received.
Those who failed to meet the prescribed targets, or could not provide evidence of the money they collected, were allegedly insulted, threatened and physically punished. The pattern described pointed to a strict and coercive system of control over the minors.
Police raid seizes cash, vehicles, gold and evidence
During the search, police reported seizing more than 52,000 baht in cash, most of it in 20-baht notes. Officers said the denominations indicated the money likely came from small street donations.
They also confiscated two cars, six motorcycles, two motorcycle sidecars and gold weighing the equivalent of three baht. Additional evidence included donation boxes, school uniforms and QR-code stickers believed to have been used in the operation.
Three boys rescued after years out of school
Officers rescued three boys aged 11, 16 and 17, who, according to police, had been kept in the system for between three and nine years. During that time, they were allegedly denied access to regular schooling.
Authorities said the boys had to do housework during the day and then beg from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. every day. The children were placed under the protection of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Next steps in prosecution and child protection
The suspects denied the accusations against them. They, along with the seized evidence, were handed over to investigators from ATPD Sub-division 5 for further legal action.
Officials said the priority now was to ensure ongoing protection and support for the rescued minors. Longer-term investigations into possible additional victims and financial flows from the QR-code donations were expected to continue.