In a concerning turn of events, the Major Cineplex Pinklao in Bangkok witnessed the arrest of a Chinese beggar, leading to suspicions of a broader human trafficking scheme. The arrest, which took place outside the shopping complex, unfolded following a report by social media influencer Kannatat “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet to the Bang Phlat Police Station.
Gun, prompted by concerns for a woman begging with visible injuries, linked the incident to previous arrests involving Chinese beggars wearing Thai university student uniforms. This raised alarms, as each beggar reportedly earned more than 10,000 baht a day.
The recent arrest follows a pattern, suggesting a potential human trafficking operation. Gun speculated that the Chinese nationals might have been abducted, subjected to torture, and coerced into begging at various locations. Notably, the beggars seemed unaware of the most lucrative spots, indicating someone orchestrating the operation.
During the arrest, a Thai woman claiming to be an interpreter for the Chinese group attempted to secure their release, but the police dismissed her plea. Gun’s suspicions heightened, prompting him to report the matter to the Bang Phlat Police Station and join officers for further investigation.
Upon arrival at the site on November 19, officers discovered a female beggar in a university student uniform on a footbridge. The beggar attempted to flee but was apprehended by female officers. The woman, a Chinese national around 40 years old, exhibited severe injuries, including both hands cut off and wounds resembling an acid attack. A search revealed 10,700 baht in her possession.
Investigating officers found the beggar lacked proper documentation and could only communicate in short words. A local vendor, present for over a decade, noted seeing beggars in university uniforms for the first time earlier in the year. The arrested Chinese beggar wasn’t alone, joining others who arrived in the morning and spread across the area until evening.
The situation took a curious turn when a Chinese woman claiming to be an interpreter appeared at the police station, seeking bail for the arrested beggar. The interpreter, hired by a Chinese national she met in Bangkok, had no knowledge of her employer’s activities but was tasked with securing the release without details of the charges faced by the beggar.
As investigations unfold, concerns grow over the implications of the beggars’ conditions, raising questions about potential exploitation and the need for a comprehensive response from law enforcement.