Three Thai families are seeking urgent help after seven boys were taken to Malaysia by monks linked to a fundraising programme for novice monks. Malaysian police later arrested two Thai monks in Kedah over alleged human trafficking activities involving children.
The families contacted the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women in Pathum Thani for assistance after learning that some children remained detained in Malaysia. The boys, aged between five and 15, were reportedly persuaded to join a summer novice ordination trip organised by the monks.
Children Taken Across Border
According to investigators, the monks allegedly targeted poor families in Thailand for almost four years. The children were reportedly brought to temples in Malaysia to ask for donations from Thai, Malaysian and Singaporean communities.
Some children travelled without passports or written permission from their parents. Malaysian authorities later detained several boys after discovering immigration problems and possible human trafficking offences.
Seventeen children who had valid travel documents have already returned safely to Thailand. However, seven boys remained at the Depot Imigresen Belantik detention centre in Kedah because they did not have passports.
Families Ask For Immediate Help
A mother from Prachuap Khiri Khan said her five-year-old son was still being held in Malaysia after travelling with the monks. She explained that her parents trusted a monk from a local temple who promised the trip would be safe even without proper travel documents.
The woman visited her son at the detention centre on April 29 with help from Thai consular officers in Penang. She said the boy repeatedly asked when he could return home to Thailand.
The foundation later worked closely with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Malaysian officials to secure the children’s release and safe return.
Three Boys Safely Return Home
On May 18, three boys aged five, 11 and 12 were reunited with their families in Thailand after being rescued from the trafficking case. Officials said the remaining four boys, aged between 13 and 15, are still in Malaysia because authorities requested them to stay and testify in court in early June.
The returning children first received medical examinations and temporary protection in Songkhla before meeting their families. Officials said the youngest child showed signs of fever and exhaustion after arriving back in Thailand.
More from Wake Up Singapore:
Thai Monk Criticized Online After Trying to Buy Beer at Convenience Store
Sri Lanka Arrests 22 Monks After 110kg Cannabis Found in Airport Luggage
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