PATTAYA, Thailand – A heart-wrenching incident in central Pattaya saw two young children left alone outside an apartment in Jomtien 3 after their mother, reportedly a homeless woman, disappeared for the night. The children, a 3-year-old girl, Phat, and a 1-year-old girl, Nicha, were left sitting and lying outside the building, waiting for their mother, while sympathetic neighbors offered food and milk to ease their hunger.
According to Apartment owner Ms. Malee, the children were left there overnight. “I felt so sorry for them. They were waiting for their mother the whole night, dozing on and off in front of the building. I hope the mother comes back and does not abandon them like this,” she said.
On October 6, at 11:00 a.m., Sergeant Sawet Permpoon, head of the Jomtien municipal social affairs unit, accompanied by Pattaya city social welfare officers led by Acting Director Thanawat Tantong, arrived at the scene to assist the children. After assessing the situation and confirming that the mother was absent, the authorities coordinated with the Pattaya Police (Dong Tan branch) to file an official report. The children were then sent to the Chonburi Child and Family Shelter for protection and care. Efforts are ongoing to locate and question the mother in accordance with the law.
CCTV footage from a nearby convenience store showed a woman resembling the mother entering the shop at 6:34 p.m. on October 5, purchasing snacks and drinks—likely for the children—before disappearing without a trace. The footage is now a key lead in tracking the mother’s movements and understanding the reasons behind leaving the children unattended overnight.
Officials from Pattaya’s social welfare office urge anyone aware of children at risk or facing neglect to report immediately. Reports can be made through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security hotline 1300, available 24 hours free of charge, or the Pattaya City Hall hotline 1337, also available 24 hours in both Thai and English.
The incident has stirred concern and empathy among local residents, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by children in situations of parental abandonment or extreme hardship. Authorities continue to investigate and ensure the children’s safety while searching for their mother.
Earlier Report: https://www.pattayamail.com/news/homeless-woman-allegedly-abandons-two-children-in-jomtien-soi-3-521530
