Raporn Bunjanthuk (seated)
has been charged with human trafficking for putting her disabled niece out
on the streets to beg.
Theerarak Suthathiwong
A Surin woman has been arrested for forcing her disabled 13-year-old
niece to work as a beggar in South Pattaya.
Raporn Bunjanthuk, 34, was taken into custody by Children and Women
Protection Center officers near Walking Street Feb. 8. Officers made the
arrest after witnessing her repeatedly remove money from a beggar’s dish
held by her niece, who had two malformed legs and a lump protruding from her
chest.
Police seized 1,200 baht from Raporn, who police said confessed to taking
her from her sister’s house in Surin in January to beg for handouts on the
beachfront. She reportedly collected about 2,000 baht a day
Social worker Mongkol Bunthot said the teen has been
disabled since birth and never attended school. She initially pushed a
trolley selling sweets and gum, but lately was told to start begging.
The child was sent to the Banglamung Home for Children until social workers
in Surin could take over her care. Raporn was charged with human
trafficking.
