Protect Thai Children from Online Sex Trafficking

Report: Hug Projects Impact on Operation Child Shield

Case Summary

On January 9th, 2025 at 11:30 am, Police General Trairong Phiqpan, Commissioner of The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, and others held a press conference to announce the Child Sheild operation. It was indicated that Myanmar workers took a 10-year-old child to molest, film, and human traffic. 

The Bureau and Internet task force received a tip from the Hug Project indicating the discovery of illegal offenses involving children. The report indicated offenses involving sexual acts and filming of a minor which were shared in a private group. This tipped off law enforcement allowing Police Runglert Kanthachand, head of the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse on the Internet Task Force, to order the prompt investigation of these crimes. 

From the investigation, it was found that there were two victims, one 10-year-old and one 13-year-old who resided in Chiangmai province. Police were also able to access the secret group and found the victims being sexually abused through online live streaming. Not only were the videos shared but online broadcasting of the sexual abuse were streamed and would last over a house. The main culprit was a Myanmar worker, aged 27, who police obtained an arrest warrant for by the Chiangmai Provincial Court. 

Finally, on January 8th, police went undercover to investigate a suspect who closely resembled the perpetrator. The suspect was taken into custody and later admitted that he brought the victims to his residence to commit the sexual acts. Police then seized his phone and found he was the admin of the secret group and had over 1,919 pornographic videos. After it was concluded both victims were interviewed sharing that they were exploited by the worker for the production and distribution of child pornography. 

Charges 

1. Human trafficking on production and distribution of child pornography. 
2. Committing sexual acts with a child under the age of thirteen.
3. Possessing child sexual abuse materials and trading child pornography. 

The HUG Projects Impact: 

The Hug Project has been important in helping the victims through the entire process, from investigation to arrest. They have been able to provide educational support to both victims including assessing their living conditions. Furthermore, they took the victims to the hospital for medical checkups and scheduled appointments. Because of your support, we have been able to provide these kids with the best resources possible. The project has offered to counsel on education and protection services for the victims of human trafficking, and coordinated with social workers from the Ministry of Social Development, Human security, and officials from the Chiang Mai Children’s Shelter and Family Home to provide further assistance as needed.

To our donors, thank you for supporting us and the victims to ensure a better life and better support through these hard times. Without you, these kids would not be able to receive the best treatment offered and better living environments to nurture and heal from the trauma that they longed endured. Thank you, 

Hug Project.