PATTAYA, Thailand – In a major operation on October 2nd, 2025, at 7:00 PM, Thai authorities, led by Major Dr. Thanakrit Jitareerat, a member of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s task force, alongside activist Kanthat Pongpaiboonvech, known as “Gun Jom Palang,” raided a hotel in Pattaya’s Dongtan Curve area, just 100 meters from a local police substation. The operation targeted an alleged child sex trafficking ring allegedly exploiting both minor boys and girls, servicing foreign tourists.
The joint task force, comprising of officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), and Banglamung district authorities, rescued three victims: A 15-year-old boy of unconfirmed nationality, a 15-year-old Thai boy, and a Thai girl, whose exact age was still under verification. The victims were found in a commercial building converted into a daily and monthly rental hotel, where they were being reportedly exploited for sexual services.
Authorities arrested two suspects: a 77-year-old Dutch national, Mr. Reinard, apprehended at a nearby restaurant, and a 58-year-old Thai woman, Prapaiporn, detained near Jomtien Beach, approximately 100 meters from the hotel. Both were charged with human trafficking, procuring prostitution, and abducting minors 15 years old or under. The DSI gathered evidence to previously secure arrest warrants from the Pattaya Provincial Court, and the suspects are now under interrogation at the DSI’s Pattaya Special Case Operations Center.
During the arrest of Reinard, authorities seized banknotes as key evidence of the trafficking operation. While being detained, Reinard attempted to contact an alleged local police officer named “Nom” using his mobile phone. However, the person on the line denied the name, identifying themselves as “Bang.”
Investigations revealed that Reinard had a prior human trafficking arrest in Thailand in late 2016 but was only deported following insufficient evidence to prosecute. He allegedly re-entered Thailand illegally in 2017 via a natural border crossing in Sa Kaeo province, reportedly bribing officials, and allegedly resumed trafficking activities in Pattaya until his capture in this operation.
Major Dr. Thanakrit disclosed that the raid was prompted by intelligence from international organizations, including Destiny Rescue, SCIENTIA, Free a Girl (Netherlands), and the Netherlands Embassy in Thailand. These groups reported that a Dutch national and a Thai woman were trafficking Thai boys and girls under 18 for sexual services to foreign clients in Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach area, an act deemed detrimental to public order, morality, and Thailand’s tourism economy.
Thanakrit expressed shock at the operation’s proximity to a police substation, calling for stricter preventive measures. He warned that those involved in human trafficking will face severe penalties, including asset seizure and money laundering charges. He also urged local authorities to rigorously inspect hotel operators under the Hotel Act, holding them accountable for allowing minors to be exploited on their premises.
The operation shows Thailand’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable youth in tourist-heavy areas like Pattaya.
