BANGKOK, Thailand – A German national and a Thai couple are in custody in Bangkok, accused of the sexual exploitation of a 17-year-old girl, who was rescued along with her three younger siblings after pleading for help from a prominent social media influencer.
Hilferuf erreicht Netz-Influencer
The harrowing ordeal came to light when the teenager, in her desperation, reached out to social media influencer Kantouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet. The influencer coordinated with police and child protection authorities, leading to a swift operation on the night of June 23. Gun publicly disclosed the case on June 24.
Gun promptly arranged a meeting to gather the young victim’s testimony. Subsequently, he involved the police and child protective services, who initiated an immediate rescue operation.
Mutter zwang Tochter zu Diebstahl und Prostitution
The 17-year-old detailed systematic torment to her rescuers. Her mother, identified as 28-year-old Thanamart, allegedly compelled her to procure drugs for her stepfather, Withawat. The mother also demanded that the victim acquire 800 Baht through illicit means. If she failed to obtain money through theft, she was forced into prostitution.
Explizite Videos für ausländische Kunden
The abuse extended into the digital realm, with the victim reporting being forced to produce sex videos for foreign clients. She presented online messages as evidence, wherein her mother provided explicit instructions regarding the content of the recordings.
Ausländer misshandelten das Mädchen
Encounters with clients were described as brutal, with several foreign men physically assaulting her. Injured and abandoned, she repeatedly returned to her tormentors’ home seeking protection for her younger siblings.
Seit drei Jahren gefangen in der Qual
This cycle of sexual abuse began when the victim was just 14 years old. She endured three years in the household, driven solely by the need to protect her younger siblings. The three children, aged nine, six, and three, were also exposed to a toxic environment of drugs and violence.
Vorheriges Opfer floh bereits aus dem Haus
The 17-year-old is not the only victim from this family. According to her account, another female relative had previously suffered a similar ordeal. Once that relative escaped, the parents’ violent behavior was redirected towards the now 17-year-old.
Zugriff auf Eltern und Deutschen
Thanamart and her 36-year-old husband Withawat were apprehended at their Bangkok residence. The German national connected to the case was apprehended by authorities at a hotel in the capital. All children from the household were placed under the care of the Children and Youth Welfare Centre immediately following their rescue.