5-Year-Old Thai Girl Rescued After Repeated Abuse by Stepmother
A five-year-old Thai girl was rescued on December 11 after allegedly suffering repeated physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her stepmother in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian district. The rescue was carried out by the non-profit Be One organisation following years of concern raised by neighbours who witnessed the abuse but were previously unsure how to intervene.
The operation was led by Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart, founder of Be One, who said the case came to light after a neighbour finally decided to seek help to protect the child. According to the witness, the girl lived in a rented room with her biological father and stepmother. The father reportedly worked almost every day, leaving the child alone with the stepmother for long periods.
Neighbours in the area stated that the stepmother regularly subjected the young girl to physical abuse. Alleged acts included slapping, beating, pinching, and even biting the child. Disturbingly, the abuse was said to occur openly and did not stop even when others were present.
The witness also reported that the child was frequently forced to eat extremely spicy food. When she struggled or refused to finish the meals, the stepmother allegedly slapped her or flicked her mouth, continuing the punishment until the child complied. Such actions raised serious concerns about both physical harm and psychological trauma.
In addition to physical abuse, the child was reportedly locked alone inside the room on multiple occasions and was not sent to school regularly. Neighbours claimed she was forced to stay up late at night and perform household chores far beyond what would be considered appropriate for a child of her age.
The girl reportedly attempted to escape several times by packing her belongings and leaving the room. However, due to her young age, she was unable to go far and was always brought back. Witnesses described these attempts as signs of desperation and fear.
According to those familiar with the situation, the stepmother’s behaviour changed when the child’s father was present. She allegedly acted caring and affectionate in front of him, but the abuse resumed immediately after he left for work.
Following the rescue, Be One coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure the child’s immediate safety and access to proper care. The case has prompted renewed calls for stronger community vigilance and reporting mechanisms to protect vulnerable children from domestic abuse.
