Who are these children?
The majority of the visitors to the Drop-In Center are older children, teenagers and young adults. Many of these children and young adults travel to Pattaya from all corners of Thailand for different reasons. Many have run away from their homes due to abuse, neglect or poverty. Many think they will have a better chance of getting work in Pattaya. Unfortunately for these children, they have difficulty in getting work due to their age. Many end up being exploited by both Thais and foreigners, having to work in the sex industry, leading a life of criminality, addicted to drugs or begging on the streets.
Some have run away from their family and home. Many of the younger children come from broken families and are unwanted by either parent or other family members. Others have been brought to the Center by the local authorities or the police after being abused by family members or members of the public, both Thai and foreign.
Several of the older residents are looking for work in Pattaya, and until they have found work they can stay at the Center.
Some children are from very poor families who know that the child will have a better chance in life if they live as part of the Fr. Ray Foundation, and who give permission for the child to live at the Drop-In Center, whilst several have been trafficked from neighbouring countries and have been rescued from the sex industry.
View our gallery, below, of typical street kids’ life in Pattaya:
