Parents in Khon Kaen province Thailand have raised serious concerns over a toy shop accused of deceiving schoolchildren through questionable instalment plans. The dispute emerged after more than 50 pupils at a municipal school reportedly paid inflated prices for toys, with some never receiving the items despite completing their payments.
The issue came to light when teachers noticed unusual financial stress among pupils and investigated. On Friday afternoon, over 50 children were escorted by their teachers to meet with the school director to explain how the shop, located just 20 metres from the school gate, had been operating. According to the students, the shop owner encouraged them to purchase basic toys, mainly dolls, on instalments. Many of these items were priced far above their real value, leading to payments that stretched for weeks.
For some children, the ordeal ended in disappointment. Several received toys of poor quality that broke almost immediately. Others, despite paying the full agreed amount, were left empty-handed. One pupil shared how he had diligently saved from his 40-baht daily snack allowance, paying 20 baht per day toward a 500-baht doll since August. When he finally finished paying and tried to collect the toy, the vendor denied responsibility, claiming it had already been given to him, and ordered him to leave. The incident left the student devastated.
The school director responded by directing teachers to identify all affected pupils and provide appropriate support. Parents were invited to cooperate with the school in documenting the financial losses and emotional harm their children endured. Two parents have already chosen to pursue legal action, filing a report at Muang Khon Kaen police station with the assistance of the school.
“The behaviour of the vendor has harmed students and could constitute a legal offence,” the director stated. He also promised that formal warnings would be issued to vendors operating near the school to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Confronted with the allegations, the shop owner admitted to offering instalment payments. She defended her actions by saying that many toys cost several hundred baht, which was too expensive for children to purchase outright. According to her, instalments provided an affordable way for children to save up gradually. She also insisted that refunds were available to dissatisfied parents and vowed to discontinue selling toys on credit to pupils.
Despite her explanation, the incident has drawn strong criticism from both parents and educators. Many argue that exploiting children’s lack of financial awareness is unethical, particularly when the transactions occur so close to a school. The practice not only placed financial strain on young students but also eroded their trust, leaving lasting emotional scars.
As legal proceedings move forward, the case serves as a warning about unregulated vendors near schools and the need for greater consumer protections for minors. For now, Khon Kaen parents remain determined to seek justice and ensure that no more children fall victim to such exploitative practices.
