Provide for Children Rescued from Sex Trafficking

The HUG Project is pleased to report a landmark conclusion to a complex human trafficking case involving both labor exploitation and sexual abuse. On January 28, 2026, the court delivered a significant judgment against two defendants, concluding the legal process just seven months after the initial report was filed in June 2025.

This case marked a milestone in inter-agency cooperation. The HUG Project provided critical support and coordination alongside several key Thai authorities and specialized task forces, including:

Our team facilitated strategic planning sessions with these partners to ensure a trauma-informed investigation while building a robust legal framework against the suspects. We were particularly encouraged by the dedication of the lead investigator at the Mueang Nan Police Station, whose commitment to seeking collaborative expertise ensured the highest level of protection for the 12-year-old survivor.

The arrest phase of the operation faced unprecedented challenges when severe flooding hit Nan Province. The homes of the investigators and the suspects, as well as the local police station, sustained significant damage. While the arrest team in Nan was forced to pivot to emergency evacuation and relief efforts for the community, the TICAC team in Surat Thani remained positioned for their phase of the operation. Despite these environmental obstacles, the team’s persistence ensured the case proceeded without delay once conditions stabilized.

The defendants faced a comprehensive 10-count indictment reflecting the severity and repetitive nature of the crimes. Both individuals entered full confessions; under Thai law, this provided "useful testimony," which the court considered as a mitigating factor for the reduction of their sentences. 

The court issued a cumulative sentence based on the following specific counts of abuse and exploitation:

1. Joint Human Trafficking of a Minor (Under 15): Procurement, detention, and housing for the purpose of forced labor or similar forms of exploitation: 6 years imprisonment
2. Abduction of a Minor (Under 15) for Indecent Purposes: 2 years 6 months
3. Committing Indecent Acts against a Minor (Under 15): 1 year
4. Unlawful Removal of a Minor (Under 15) from Parental Care for Indecent Purposes (68 counts): Total 136 years & 408 months
5. Sexual Assault of a Minor (Under 13) under the Defendants' Care or Authority: 7 years 6 months
6. Sexual Assault of a Minor (Under 15) under the Defendants' Care or Authority: (66 counts): Total 330 years
7. Abduction of a Minor (Ages 15–18) for Indecent Purposes: (25 counts): Total 50 years
8. Forced Sexual Assault through Coercion or Violence against a Person under Authority: (25 counts): Total 100 years
9. Transporting a Minor (Ages 15–18) for Indecent Purposes: 2 years 6 months
10. Physical and Psychological Assault: (50 counts): Total 50 years

Total Cumulative Sentence: 684 years and 426 months per defendant. 

Note: Under Section 91(3) of the Thai Criminal Code, the maximum enforceable prison term is capped at 50 years each. Additionally, the defendants have been ordered to pay 1,130,000 THB in victim compensation by February 2026.

This victory is a testament to the bravery of the survivor, who took the courageous step to escape and seek help and fight for her future. Her resilience, combined with the tireless work of our government partners, has ensured that these perpetrators can no longer harm children. 

The HUG Project remains committed to these vital collaborations—work that is only made possible through your continued and generous support.