The trafficker was the owner of a noodle restaurant in this region, specifically on Sankhongluang Rd. The situation arose when a 14 year old girl from the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand, ventured out into the town looking for work and a place to stay – she was enticed by a “better life”. Her parents were drug addicts – that was her push factor. The restaurant owner offered her work and pay at 2000 Baht a month and board in their house. She was paid for the first two months, but then they stopped or occasionally paid her 200 Baht per month. She worked in the restaurant until closing and then was forced to do domestic chores around the house. She was not allowed out. The owner had taken her citizenship papers and so she was scared to report the exploitation. She threatened to leave, which the owner responded to by threatening her life and the lives of her family – he apparently pointed a gun at her. Eventually the girl escaped, finding a family member. She contacted Mirror Foundation and is now safe.
Location
Thailand · Sankhongluang Rd, Chiang Rai town · 2009
(location generalized to protect survivors) Response & intervention
As is often the case, the girl does not want to report the crime. The most recent information suggests that the girl was receiving legal council through the local NGO, though due to the cultural climate and police corruption, it is unlikely charges will be laid on the restaurant owner.
The girl escaped and then contacted Mirror Foundation. Mirror Foundation is a Thai NGO that works to help ethnic minorities and it has an anti human trafficking project. Mirror Foundation has found the girl safe accommodation and has put her into schooling.
She is one of many children being looked after by the Mirror Foundation Anti Human trafficking project. With limited funds, there is unfortunately very little that can be done in the long term. The girl is at least safe.
Mirror Foundation (Chiang Rai)
Child contacted Mirror Foundation who then looked into it. Still following up on legal.
Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don't have a verifiable source on file yet — use “Report a problem” below to add one.