Our lead story this month was generously contributed by Victor Wong of Victor Law Pattaya. We are also very pleased to be working with the Chab Dai Coalition in Cambodia. See their story below. We also have detailed information about our next three human trafficking awareness event.
We are constantly amazed at how little the general public, here and abroad knows about child trafficking. A huge part of our mission is the conduct of human trafficking awareness events throughout the Kingdom of Thailand and soon beyond. As of this writing we are working on several:
Chiang Mai - 10 January 2026 International Children's day (Children's activities)
Chiang Mai - 11 January 2026. See the story below
Mae Sot - 15 January 2026. The event will be similar to the 11 January event.
Pattaya - Date to be confirmed, but likely in March 2026
We would love to do events in other cities especially Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phonom Penh, Phuket, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Hat Yai. HOWEVER, we need project champions. Are you interested?
We need to raise ฿32,000 to support our Human Trafficking Awareness Events and our operations. Please donate any amount that you feel is appropriate. Details are here. Thank you for your generous compassion!
We are actively looking for ways to get Interact clubs involved in our efforts. SEATECT will need a liaison person to reach out to Rotarians already involved in Interact in our region. We know that interact can be a great influence, resulting in better young men who realize and respect other human beings. The hope would be that they will not consider exploiting other individuals as acceptable behavior for anyone. Our good member Taweechai Termkunanon has volunteered to take on this responsibility.
This article first appeared in the Pattaya Mail on 20 December 2025 and is reprinted here with the permission of the author Victor Wong.
PATTAYA, Thailand – There is a story one of the lawyers in our office likes to recount. It always brings a knowing smile – not because it is humorous, but because it captures something deeply and unmistakably Thai.
An Indian man had arranged to purchase sexual services from a person he believed to be a woman in Pattaya. The terms were agreed upon: a price, a place, and a mutual understanding. The encounter took place as arranged. Trouble began afterward, when the man refused to pay. His explanation was blunt: “You are transgender, not a real woman. I paid for a real woman.”
The dispute escalated. Voices were raised. Eventually, both parties ended up at a police station, arriving separately on motorcycle taxis. The image might sound faintly comic, but to anyone familiar with Thailand’s legal landscape, it was entirely routine. The police listened, considered the facts, and then delivered their conclusion in a single, definitive sentence: “In Thailand, the buying and selling of sexual services is illegal. Therefore, the police cannot take action for either party.” And that was the end of it. No payment. No redress. No party found to be right or wrong. In legal terms, the incident itself was deemed not to have existed at all.
A country where nothing exists, yet everyone sees it Anyone who has walked along Pattaya Beach Road – particularly near Walking Street – will recognize the contradiction. Beneath the palm trees sit and stand women, and others who do not fit neatly into legal definitions, smiling at tourists and striking up conversations. Sometimes those interactions go beyond small talk. In our office, we half-jokingly refer to this stretch as the “Palm Bar.” There is no signboard, no license, no official recognition – just palm trees, streetlights, and an unspoken understanding shared by everyone present.
Legally, however, none of this exists. Thailand does not recognize sex work as a lawful occupation. There is no legal status for sex workers, and therefore, in strictly legal terms, there is no sex trade. It is a position that is technically correct and entirely at odds with everyday reality.
When the law chooses not to see Thai police are neither naïve nor unaware, and the public is not blind. Everyone knows what is happening. The law simply chooses to look the other way – until it decides not to. That moment usually comes: when complaints are filed, when Thailand’s tourism image is seen to be at risk, or when too many foreigners become involved. Then enforcement begins. Arrests are made. Charges are filed. Visas are cancelled. Headlines follow. Afterward, the pressure eases. The palm trees remain, the streetlights continue to glow, and the activity that officially does not exist quietly returns to daily life.
A joke that should not be funny The story of the Indian man and the transgender woman still draws laughter in our office. One believed he had purchased a service. The other believed she had provided one. The state, meanwhile, insisted that nothing had happened at all. And when nothing happens, no one is responsible for anything.
The question no one wants to answer Some countries choose to legalize sex work—not as an endorsement, but as an acknowledgment of reality, opting for regulation over denial. Thailand has chosen a different path. That choice is the state’s prerogative. But as long as the official position remains that “Thailand has no sex trade,” while crowds continue to pass those palm trees every night, another truth must also be accepted: sometimes, the things the law insists do not exist are the most visible realities of all.
This article first appeared in the Pattaya Mail on 20 December 2025 and is reprinted here with the permission of the author Victor Wong.
Who We Are Chab Dai, which means “joining hands” in Khmer, is a Cambodian-led and globally engaged non-profit organization committed to ending modern slavery, exploitation, and abuse. Our vision is a world where communities live in dignity, harmony, and freedom. Our mission is to combat all forms of abuse globally by empowering communities, strengthening systems, and supporting justice and wellbeing with survivors.
Human trafficking in Cambodia and the region is complex, shaped by social inequality, gender disparities, poverty, unsafe migration pathways, and economic vulnerability. No single organization can address these challenges alone. Chab Dai believes that lasting change is only possible through collaboration. By combining the strengths, expertise, and resources of multiple actors, we can create a coordinated, human rights-based response.
The Coalition Approach: Joining Hands In 2005, Chab Dai formed the Coalition with 12 member organizations in response to a fragmented anti-trafficking landscape in Cambodia. Today, the Coalition includes over 50 organizations, ranging from small NGOs to larger institutions. It brings together civil society, survivor leaders, government agencies, faith networks, and private sector partners to strengthen the collective response to trafficking and exploitation.
Through shared knowledge, joint advocacy, and coordinated action, the Coalition helps align efforts and aims to improve access to support for survivors and communities. By working together, members amplify their individual impact and contribute to a stronger, unified response.
How It Works in Practice The Coalition works with a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, enhance learning exchanges, and improve collective decision-making. Members share expertise and coordinate mapping exercises to optimize resources and reduce duplication, ensuring services reach those most in need. As part of this coordinated approach, Chab Dai prioritizes referring trafficking and abuse cases to member organizations based on their expertise and the specific needs of individuals and communities. Chab Dai provides direct case support only in geographically remote areas where Coalition members are not present.
Examples of Coalition initiatives include:
Child and Youth Protection Working Groups: Formed with member organizations, these groups give children and youth a voice in their communities, enabling dialogue with local leaders and authorities to raise awareness of trafficking risks and strengthen protective measures.
Disability Inclusion: In partnership with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), the Coalition works to improve inclusion in anti-trafficking policies in Cambodia.
Civil Compensation Consultation: In partnership with the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), the Coalition convened 141 participants from 48 CSOs, government ministries, and survivor representatives to develop joint recommendations for improving civil compensation mechanisms in Cambodia.
Child & Youth Working Group plan their campaign
Impact of the Coalition Approach Chab Dai’s coalition model has led to measurable improvements in policy and practice. Examples from 2024–2025 include:
Participant Engagement: 955 participants attended Coalition events in 2024, strengthening skills, networks, and knowledge sharing.
Co-Case Management: In 2025, 19 women and girls trafficked to China for forced marriage were safely returned to Cambodia and supported through coordinated services.
Community Heroes Training: 32 local leaders were trained in 2025 to lead protection efforts in border communities.
Shelter Monitoring: Coalition collaboration with the Department of Victim Protection improved monitoring of shelters across five provinces, ensuring facilities now meet minimum care standards for trafficking victims.
These outcomes demonstrate that improved protections, prevention, and survivor support are possible because of a coalition approach where collaboration, shared learning, and coordination across diverse stakeholders drive tangible change.
Looking Ahead: The Power of Collaboration The anti-trafficking landscape continues to evolve. New challenges from funding constraints to emerging forms of exploitation require adaptive, collaborative responses. The Coalition is expanding its network, engaging a wider range of stakeholders, and strengthening its focus on shared, measurable goals across protection, prevention, and advocacy.
Chab Dai Coalition and partners come together to discuss civil actions
Get Involved Ending human trafficking requires many hands. While membership of the Coalition is reserved for Cambodian-registered organizations, Chab Dai works with partners throughout the region and beyond. We are always interested in collaborating with organizations and individuals to strengthen collective efforts, share knowledge, and support survivors.
To explore partnerships or learn more about our work, please contact Kneath Heard, Chab Dai Partnerships and Development Director, at kneath.heard@chabdai.org.
International Children’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday 10 January; the perfect occasion to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, especially children. SEATECT will sponsor an event which will focus on children.
10 January at Chiang Mai's Suan Buak Haad public Park -
The overall idea for Children’s Day is very simple: we want to give children a gentle introduction to the concepts around grooming and the 7 steps of grooming. The goal is not to fully train them in one day, but to expose them to the basic language and ideas so that, in the future, as training spreads throughout the community, more children will already recognize the terms and concepts. We want to do this in a fun, light, and engaging way.
Children will receive the Child Hero stickers and a coloring book featuring the different safety messages. We may include wristbands they can make with short safety phrases. The children will also enjoy some ice cream as a small parting gift.
We anticipate there will be 7 stations.
Station 1 — What Is Grooming? (Short introduction using simple language. Explain the 7 steps of grooming in a child-friendly way. Ask children what they should do if something makes them uncomfortable.)
Station 2 — Safe vs. Unsafe Secrets (Children sort example “secrets” into Safe or Unsafe. Explain that unsafe secrets should always be told to a trusted adult).
Station 3 — Body Boundaries (Teach that everyone has personal body boundaries. Practice saying “Stop,” “No,” and “I don’t like that.” Explain that they should tell someone they trust if someone makes them uncomfortable).
Station 4 — Online Safety (Examples of unsafe messages. Discuss strangers asking for photos or private chats. Teach: Don’t share photos, don’t talk privately with strangers).
Station 5 — Trusted Adults (Children list the adults in their life whom they can trust. Short role play about asking for help and telling someone).
Station 6 — Scenario Cards (Children look at short situations and decide: Safe / Not Safe / Tell Someone. A volunteer guides the group through correct answers).
Station 7 — Review & Reinforcement (Quick recap of all stations. Children say one thing they learned. Give a small completion sticker or token).
We may add another station (all children to know and practice phone numbers of trusted adults and know a home address. We may add that as an activity for the younger ones ).
This story was written by SEATECT Project Champion Kevin Miller.
3:30 Talk by Myanmar Rose with questions and answers
4:30 Stretch Break
4:45 Movie
6:05 Stretch Break
6:15 Lucky Draw
6::30 Dinner is served
8:00 Bon Voyage
Event Tickets purchased before 1 January 2026 are only ฿750 each
Event Tickets purchased before 11 January 2025 are ฿850 each
Event Tickets purchased at the door will be ฿1,000
Lucky Draw tickets prior to the event are: ฿2,000 ($62 USD) for 25 tickets, ฿1,000 ($31 USD) for 12 tickets
At the event on 11 January Lucky Draw tickets will be available ฿2,000 for 25 tickets, ฿1,000 for 12 tickets, ฿500 for 6 tickets and ฿100 for individual tickets.
So far our lucky draw prizes include:
Fashion King in Chiang Mai
Myanmar Rose is donating her painting.
Horse Running Free
Photographer John Hulme will contribute a photograph
Hanuman Gujarat
Butter is Better
will donate a cake of the winner's choice - 2 prizes
SEATECT will donate books by Matthew S Friedman and Sylvia Friedman
We hope you attend, but you do not have to be present to win the Lucky Draw.
To make advanced payment simply transfer funds to our:
Projects Account
Bangkok Bank
Pratu Chang Phuak Branch
125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang
Chiangmai 50300 Thailand
Swift Code: BKKBTHBK
Account Number: 390-4-85760-8
Name on Account: PONGSAWART NIYOMCA & GERALD EDWARD NELSON
Please remember to send your transfer slip to treasurer@seatect.org so we can give you proper credit.
SEATECT is proud to sponsor a human trafficking awareness event and a tour of the Mae Tao Clinicwhere we will participate in Rotary Appreciation Day at the Clinic. Those who join will gain an understanding of the history of Mae Tao Clinic and the amazing work they have been doing for the past 35+ years.
Where the clinic began
Join the event and the tour: Send an email to coordinator@seatect.org
Transportation:
Depending on where you are traveling from, there are several ways to get to Mae Sot.
You can fly from Bangkok
You can take a bus from Bangkok or almost any other city in Thailand
Of course you can drive your own vehicle
SEATECT will arrange van transportation from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot and return.
09:00 14 January we will depart Chiang Mai
14:00 Arrive at Alto-M Hotel, Mae Sot
18:00 We will go to dinner at the Chimney restaurant
09:00 15 January we will go to the Mae Tao Clinic
09:45 We will tour he Mae Tao Clinic and participate in a grant completion ceremony
12:00 We will have lunch together and then return to the Alto-M hotel
14:30 We will depart Alto-M hotel
15:00 We will arrive at the Passport restaurant
15:00 Human Trafficking Awareness Event
15:15 Speech by Mae Sot area expert
16:00 Film - Trade of Innocents
17:30 Dinner
19:00 Bon Voyage
09:00 16 January Depart Alto-M Hotel
09:30 Possible stop at Rim Moie Market
16:00 Arrive Chiang Mai
Lodging:The Alto-M hotel has nice clean rooms available for ฿1,500 per night. They have offered our tour a special rate of ฿1,350 per night, including breakfast. Please book directly and give them the code SEATECT-MTC to receive this deal. Their email is frontoffice@altohotelm.com The hotel's phone number is +66 55 030 563
10:00 Tour the Mae Tao Clinic
11:30 Tour the Child Development Center
12:30 Lunch at Passport Restaurant
14:30 Rotary Appreciation Day ceremony.
15:30 Depart the clinic for Alto-M Hotel
17:30 Depart Alto-M Hotel.
18:00 Group dinner at Mable Restaurant.
20:30 Return to Alto-M Hotel.
TRAGAST Website Sponsors
ROTARY CLUB TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Our Mission Statement: As the only global Rotary Club focused on ending the humanitarian crisis of human trafficking, we work with others around the world to raise awareness, educate children, youth and communities, reduce risk factors that make different communities vulnerable, and stop the demand for human trafficking.
Our members are dedicated Rotarians who share a passion for ending human trafficking. We meet via Zoom on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 a.m. US CT. Email President@endhtrotaryclub.org to request a meeting link.
In addition to active membership, we offer associate membership to Rotarians who are members of another Rotary club. Join us!
ANGIE TAXI
We provide Limousine and Taxi service. Our drivers are well trained and extremely professional. Our vehicles are well maintained, safe, reliable and comfortable. Our aim is to provide each client with the best possible transportation experience. References are cheerfully provided.
✅️Suvanbhumi airport (BKK)
✅️Don Mueng airport (DMK)
✅️U-Tapao Airport (UTP)
✅️Bangkok City, ✅️Pattaya city
✅️Samet island, ✅️Koh Chang
✅️Hau-hin
We are honored to support the Thailand Rotary Action Group Against Slavery Team while providing you with the best possible service. You may want to make advance reservations:
www.angietaxi.com
Line : angiejones11
Mobile : +66865758437
WhatsApp : +66865758437
AMERASIAN FRAGRANCE RESEARCH
Amerasian Fragrance research is a world leader in perfumery and fragrance applications. We create unique smells and sensations tailor made for many products, from candles and polymer air fresheners to lotions and shampoos. Our expert perfumery team can create the precise fragrance you desire for any number of applications. The team at AFR will accept nothing less than the best and we welcome the opportunity to apply that mentality to your products and designs. Share your dreams and let us create them. Contact us for inquiries and consultations. Phone: +66(0)3-301-2590 Email: AFR@fragrance.co.th Facebook: AmerasianFragranceResearch
Nathalie Laloue
Nathalie Laloue is a French artist living in Chiang Mai, inspired by human emotions and the hidden strength behind every gaze. In order to support the fight against human trafficking, she painted a portrait series exploring the silent resilience of women and children facing invisible struggles. Through textured layers and expressive eyes, each painting tells a story of dignity, pain, and hope. Her art is available through https://seatect.org/stories/purchase-art. 50% of the proceeds go to fight human trafficking. Please support Nathalie
GERMAN KITCHEN DESIGN
The role of the kitchen has significantly evolved. It is a vibrant hub where people come together to enjoy the priceless pleasures of family life and home-cooked food. Quite simply, the kitchen has become the heart and soul of the home. Our aim is to create a kitchen space for you that is personalized, fully planned, and customized to your exact specifications, imported from Germany and precisely installed in your home. With innovative design, meticulous quality and a focus on sustainability, we will help you create the kitchen of your dreams. We currently support our clients in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Koh Samui. Contact us at:
Our lead story this month was generously contributed by Victor Wong of Victor Law Pattaya. We are also very pleased to be working with the Chab Dai Coalition in Cambodia. See their story below. We also have detailed information about our next three human trafficking awareness event.
