CHIANG RAI – Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, have arrested three men after an investigation into the sexual abuse of two girls aged 11 and 14. The case started when the parents and relatives of the girls contacted the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, reporting that the children had been targeted by a 62-year-old neighbour and his two friends, aged 64 and 77.
According to the families, the neighbour gained the trust of one of the girls by inviting her to his house, giving her snacks and letting her use his mobile phone. The families believed this was innocent, as they lived nearby and the children often played together.
However, over time, the neighbour and his friends took advantage of the trust, abusing both girls on several occasions.
After the first assaults, the girls were too frightened to speak up. Only when a resident noticed the neighbour acting inappropriately and told the parents did they suspect anything. When confronted, the children admitted what had happened.
The adults then went to the police and the Pavena Foundation for help.
Chiang Rai Police gathered evidence and were able to secure arrest warrants for all three men. Officers arrested them on 24 June and have now charged them with rape, sexual assault and taking minors away for indecent purposes. The men have confessed and will remain in custody while the investigation continues.
The president of the Pavena Foundation thanked the local police for their support and promised to work with social workers to support the girls and ensure they get proper care and counselling.
Parents are reminded to keep a close eye on their children and not to trust others too easily, even those living nearby. The case is a strong warning for families in Chiang Rai to always speak to their children and listen to any worries they may have.
Sexual assault on minors in Northern Thailand is a serious issue, often tied to systemic factors like poverty, migration, and cultural attitudes. Thai law sets the age of consent at 15, with stricter penalties for assaults on minors under 13 (up to life imprisonment) or under 15 (4-20 years imprisonment).
Despite legal protections, enforcement is inconsistent, and cultural factors like victim-blaming and nepotism in schools often lead to reduced sentences or impunity. Migrant children from neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia are particularly at risk due to their precarious legal status and economic vulnerability.
They face exploitation in settings like massage parlours, bars, and online platforms, with 400,000 children aged 12-17 reportedly victims of online sexual exploitation in 2021.
The Thai government, alongside organisations like UNICEF and ECPAT, has initiatives like the Thailand Safe Internet Day and the #CautionFirst campaign to combat online exploitation. However, challenges remain, including inadequate oversight, lack of disaggregated data, and societal attitudes that normalise or excuse abuse.
