Pattaya —
An 11-year-old boy was found chained to a chair on Pattaya Beach by his father, who later tested positive for drugs. The boy was previously caught vaping on Walking Street.
On August 24th, 2024, a video was shared on social media showing a young boy smoking an e-cigarette in front of a nightclub on Walking Street. It was later revealed that the boy, named by authorities as Pangpond, is 11 years old and has a history of running away from home, leading his family to repeatedly search for him.
Following these events, officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) in Chonburi province took the boy into their care at a children’s shelter for evaluation and rehabilitation. However, according to the latest report, the boy’s family requested to take him back into their custody.
On September 7th, 2024, prominent social activist Kan Jompalang (real name Mr. Kanthas Phongpaibulvej), along with his team, visited Pattaya Police Station to meet with Police Chief Pol. Col. Navin Theerawit. He requested police assistance after receiving a complaint about a boy, who was recognized as Pangpond, being chained to a chair by his guardian at Pattaya Beach, just a few hundred meters from the police station.
Upon arriving at the beach, authorities found Pangpond’s parents renting out mats to tourists, while the boy was chained by his ankle to a camping chair. The police brought the family in for questioning. Kan Jompalang expressed concern over the situation, noting that Pattaya is a word-class tourist destination, and incidents like this could tarnish the city’s image.
He also mentioned that while the MSDHS had previously taken the boy into custody, the parents were allowed to take him back. However, when questioned by police, the father, whose name was withheld by authorities, reportedly admitted to chaining his son to a chair out of fear that the boy would run away and cause trouble again.
Further investigation by Pattaya police revealed that the father, 46 years old, tested positive for methamphetamine. He reportedly confessed to using the drug and explained that he chained Pangpond out of fear that the boy would cause trouble for others. He apologized to the public and promised not to repeat the behavior.
Officials from the MSDHS Chonburi office will now take Pangpond back into their care at the children’s shelter for further evaluation and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, his father will undergo drug rehabilitation. If Pangpond’s condition improves, the family can apply to have him returned to their custody, officials said.
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