CHUMPHON — 15 July 2026, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) has arrested the manager of a Muay Thai camp in Rayong province on allegations of child trafficking and sexual exploitation, while authorities are expanding their investigation to locate a Norwegian benefactor accused of abusing children at the camp.
Police said the 28-year-old suspect, identified only as “Check,” was arrested under a Criminal Court warrant (No. 3772/2026) issued on 7 July on charges related to human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation involving minors aged between 15 and 18, as well as operating or managing a prostitution-related business.
The operation was led by the ATPD with support from a multidisciplinary child victim rescue team and officials from the Rayong and Chonburi Provincial Offices of Social Development and Human Security (SDHS).
Investigators from ATPD Sub-Division 2 said they received intelligence alleging that minors at a Muay Thai camp in Rayong were being exploited for commercial sexual purposes.
According to police, authorities launched a sting operation, posing undercover officers as prospective students at the camp to gather evidence. They found around 30 male and female boxers, ranging in age from under 18 to 35, including both Thai and foreign nationals.
Police allege the suspect told an undercover officer that he could arrange minors for sexual services, claiming some of the children came from troubled family backgrounds and were seeking money. He allegedly shared photographs of the minors and discussed prices before officers arranged a controlled operation.
Authorities said the suspect agreed to arrange three boys, aged 16, 15 and 13, for 3,000 baht each, with 2,000 baht allegedly going to each child and 1,000 baht retained by the suspect.
Subsequently, officers deployed to conduct the operation, dividing into two teams to carry out operations at separate locations. The first team launched an undercover sting operation to arrest Check and rescue three alleged victims under the age of 18: 16-year-old “A” (alias), 15-year-old “B” (alias) and 13-year-old “C” (alias).
Officers arrested the suspect after he brought the minors to a resort in Chon Buri province. Police said he later confessed during questioning. He was subsequently taken into custody and handed over to investigators from ATPD Sub-Division 2 for further legal proceedings.
In a second operation, investigators searched the boxing camp and interviewed children living there to determine whether they had been victims of trafficking or abuse.
Police said they found 15 boys aged between 11 and 19 at the camp without their parents present.
During interviews with a multidisciplinary child protection team, several children alleged that a Norwegian national, identified only by the alias “Mr. Kim”, had financially supported the camp and was regularly brought into contact with boys staying there.
According to investigators, several children alleged they had been sexually abused by the man in private rooms at the camp and that some incidents were photographed or recorded. They also alleged they received payments ranging from 500 to 5,000 baht, as well as gifts such as mobile phones, school uniforms and financial assistance for their families.
Some children reportedly told investigators that camp operators and family members were aware of the alleged abuse but did not report it because of the financial support provided by the foreign national.
Following interviews, the multidisciplinary team concluded there was sufficient evidence to identify six children as alleged victims of sexual abuse.
Authorities are working to locate the Norwegian suspect and expand the investigation.