In a recent police operation, three young foreign girls were rescued from an illegal begging ring in the Asok area of Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, on the night of February 15, 2025. The crackdown targeted panhandling activities in the busy urban district, with the goal of protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from exploitation.
The operation was conducted by Lumphini police, in collaboration with social workers and staff from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The authorities carried out a thorough sweep, covering the area from Sukhumvit Soi 3 to the Asok intersection. A total of 13 women—one Thai, 10 Cambodian, and two Laotian nationals—were detained during the operation. Among them were three young girls, aged between five and seven, all from Cambodia.
The women and children were taken into custody for screening, and police filed charges against them for violating the Begging Control Act. The Thai national was specifically charged with causing others to feel pity and receiving money or assets. The foreign nationals, on the other hand, were also charged for their involvement in panhandling, as well as for staying in Thailand illegally.
The authorities also took the foreign nationals to a shelter in Nonthaburi province for DNA verification to confirm their identities, while the children were placed in the care of a children’s home in Bangkok. Efforts are underway to reach out to their parents or guardians.
The rise in panhandlers in Bangkok has been a growing concern. Recent surveys suggest that the number of beggars, some of whom are accompanied by infants as young as one month old, is on the rise. In response, Bhuntin Noumjerm, a People’s Party MP for Bangkok, urged authorities to take stricter measures against such activities. He recommended conducting DNA tests to determine the biological relationship between the adults and children involved in begging rings.
In the aftermath of the operation, authorities are continuing to investigate the situation and ensure the protection of the rescued children.
