22-11-2023 (BANGKOK) A Chinese woman, bearing signs of severe physical abuse, has been apprehended by Thai police for begging outside a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pinklao area. The woman, who was missing two fingers and had acid burns on her face, is suspected to be involved in a human trafficking ring, as investigations into her bank account revealed a monthly flow of 2 million baht (approximately S$76,000).
Initially evading capture, the woman sought refuge in a restroom within the shopping mall. However, the police eventually discovered her whereabouts, conducted a thorough search, and questioned her. Inside her bag, authorities found around 10,000 baht, believed to be obtained through begging, but no passport was recovered.
During the interrogation, the Chinese woman disclosed that she had arrived in Thailand on November 10 with the intention of working as a beggar, unaware that such an act violated Thai law. She informed the police that she was divorced and had two sons residing in China, whom she needed to support.
Regarding the wounds on her body, she claimed they were the result of a childhood incident. According to her account, she was playing with friends when a liquid-filled object exploded in a vehicle, leaving visible scars.
Contradicting her statement, evidence found in her possession, such as keys and a key card, suggested a different narrative. She claimed to have obtained them from someone who had lost them on November 17. Additionally, she mentioned purchasing a school uniform because she found Thais appealing when they wore them.
Following the arrest, a Chinese woman identifying herself as an interpreter for the beggar arrived at the police station with the beggar’s passport. She explained that she had been contacted to act as an interpreter and coordinate with the authorities but was unaware of the specific details of the case.
This incident bears similarities to a previous case where individuals displaying characteristics of foreign beggars, all Chinese nationals aged over 40, were detained by the authorities. These individuals were observed wearing Thai student uniforms in an attempt to elicit sympathy from the public and receive financial support.
Subsequently, a woman claiming to be the interpreter for all the Chinese beggars approached the police, seeking to resolve the matter by offering to pay bail for their release. However, the authorities declined the offer and refused to release anyone.
Preliminary investigations indicate that each beggar earns over 10,400 baht per day, amounting to an average monthly income of 1.8 million baht per person. Given their abnormal physical conditions, including scarred hands and faces, it is evident that these women are victims of human trafficking.
Despite their claims of voluntary participation in begging, they remain hesitant to provide information to the police, fearing potential repercussions against their families if they speak out.
