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CSEC

CSEC in Chiang Mai (2007)

A CSEC case from 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 1 source on file.

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What happened

Kru Nam, a Thai artist, discovered through a painting exercise with street children that many were trafficked victims from Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, sold or lured into Chiang Mai's sex brothels and karaoke clubs. She personally walked into bars to rescue children, eventually freeing over 125 kids from captivity. Her story, told in David Batstone's book "Not For Sale," became the founding project of the Not For Sale Campaign and grew into Baan Kru Nam, an ongoing NFS partnership in Mae Sai. Accused: Bar and karaoke club owners in Chiang Mai exploiting trafficked children for sex tourism.

Response and intervention

Kru Nam personally intervened, later formalized with Not For Sale Campaign support. Limited formal prosecution; bar owners threatened Kru Nam's life for continued rescues. Baan Kru Nam shelter in Mae Sai, Thailand provides ongoing housing, education, and care.

Sources

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