PATTAYA, Thailand – Residents in Pattaya were left distressed after two young children were found abandoned outside a building late at night, prompting a swift response from police and rescue teams, May 17. At around 01:00 a.m., officers from Nongprue Police Station, together with the Sawang Boriboon rescue unit, were called to investigate reports of two small children left unattended at the entrance of a building near Soi Map Yai Lia 26/1 in east Pattaya.
At the scene, authorities found a 5-year-old girl and a boy aged around 2–3 years old lying on the ground in dirty clothing. Both children were visibly frightened and crying while calling out for their mother, causing concern and sympathy among nearby residents. Locals and rescue workers quickly provided food and milk to comfort the children before police officers transported them to a nearby patrol station for temporary safety and care. A local vendor, 35-year-old Ms. Thanya Srichiangsa, said the children’s mother was known in the area and often brought them along while collecting recyclable items. However, she noted that the children had never previously been left alone for such a long period.
She added that on this occasion, the mother reportedly left the children unattended for more than three hours and returned only to take the older child, leaving the two younger children behind. This prompted concerned residents to alert authorities immediately. Police have since placed the children under temporary care at a local police post while coordinating efforts to locate their mother and relatives for proper custody and protection.
