Thai police have uncovered a disturbing child exploitation ring operating out of a Muay Thai boxing camp. The camp’s supervisor was arrested following a sting operation in Chon Buri province. Authorities allege he was procuring teenage boxers for foreign sponsors and other pedophiles.
The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) apprehended 28-year-old Narubet “Chek” Nilthai at a hotel on Tuesday. The arrest exposes a dark side to some training facilities, where vulnerable young athletes are exploited.
Key Takeaways
- Sting Operation Success: Police arrested a 28-year-old Muay Thai camp supervisor for allegedly procuring teenage boxers for sex.
- Undercover Investigation: The arrest followed a tip-off and an undercover operation involving a plainclothes officer posing as a trainee.
- Foreign Involvement: A Norwegian sponsor is implicated in paying for sexual services with the young trainees.
Undercover Operation Reveals Abuse
The investigation began after an informant alerted police to illicit activities at the boxing camp in Rayong province. To gather evidence, a plainclothes police officer applied for training at the facility. This undercover work was crucial in exposing the operation.
Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, the ATPD commander, provided details on the setup. Mr. Narubet supervised a camp with approximately 30 Thai and foreign trainees, ranging in age from 18 to 35. However, it was the younger trainees who were targeted.
According to police, Mr. Narubet allegedly confessed that about 15 young boxers at the camp were involved in providing sexual services. He stated that these boys, driven by domestic and behavioral issues, needed money. He would share their pictures via a chat application to attract clients.
The Chon Buri Arrest
The sting operation culminated when Mr. Narubet brought three boys, aged 13, 15, and 16, to a motel in Chon Buri. He quoted a price of 3,000 baht for each boy’s services. The boys later revealed to the police that they only received a 1,000 baht cut of this money.
This direct evidence of exploitation led to his immediate arrest. The case highlights the vulnerability of young athletes seeking a better life through sports.
A Foreign Sponsor Implicated
Following the arrest in Chon Buri, another police team raided the boxing camp in Rayong. During this raid, 12 boys came forward with disturbing information. They reported that a Norwegian man, who visited the camp with his Thai secretary, acted as a sponsor.
According to the boys’ accounts, whenever this sponsor visited, his secretary would summon several young men to a reception room. There, they were allegedly instructed to engage in sexual acts, which the sponsor recorded. He reportedly paid up to 5,000 baht per session.
The Reality of Exploitation
Pol Col Warit Pathumarak, chief of ATPD Division 2, elaborated on the sponsor’s tactics. The Norwegian man allegedly groomed his preferred victims by providing them with mobile phones, school uniforms, and money for their parents.
Tragically, none of the Thai individuals involved filed a complaint. They had chosen to accept the financial support, highlighting the complex dynamics of poverty and exploitation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger protections for young athletes in training environments.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of all the young boxers involved. The ATPD continues its efforts to combat human trafficking and child exploitation across Thailand.
