The ChildSafe Network program started in Thailand in November 2007.

Planned Activities for 2008 / 2009

The ChildSafe Network objective is to develop an extensive child protection network advancing community responsibility towards defending child rights and protecting them from all forms of abuse.

To achieve this objective in Thailand, ChildSafe will:

• Select and train a network of approximately 250 individuals and business per year such as taxis (moto taxi’s and tuk-tuks), guesthouses/hotels, street vendors and local authorities) to recognize and respond to children in dangerous situations
  • Promote community responsibility towards protecting children by adhering to the spirit of the ChildSafe Network: “Together, protecting children”.
  • Create and continuously update training materials for members, that offer practical strategies and solutions. Training includes how to respond if members witness child sexual abuse, physical abuse, unsafe migration, health problems, accidents and other situations where a child is in danger.
  • Ensure monthly/quarterly monitoring of all members and refresher trainings.
  • Encourage good business principles to prevent child abuse “Good clients = Good business”.
  • Promote ChildSafe Network members through carefully selected media channels.
• Together with Peuan Peuan, build a strong and effective referral system to always have the best services available for children in need.
  • Work with and support other organizations including Government services provided by MSDHS and BMA as well as NGO partners to provide a full range of high quality services specifically designed for children and youth.
  • Promote the ChildSafe contact phone number as well as the existing emergency services and referral network of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (1300 Hotline) to ChildSafe Network members.
• Promote responsible tourism in Thailand by raising awareness among tourists about the positive ways they can help marginalized children during their travels.
  • Develop ChildSafe Traveler Tips for travelers, for example avoid giving money to begging children, use the hotline 1300 if you see a child in a risk situation, support local organizations that are helping marginalized children.
  • Distribute the ChildSafe Traveler Tips through ChildSafe Network members, local media, travel guides and country entry points (international airports, borders).
• Conduct KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) survey on the intent of local Thai population giving to begging children and buying from children street sellers.
  • Use research data to develop positive messaging that will build awareness about the current situation children face on the streets and encourage the local community to adopt better ways to help these children.
  • Distribute ChildSafe Network information as a means of prompting the community to actively participate in protecting vulnerable children.
• Support and develop the Government’s involvement in the project to ensure project sustainability and growth.
  • Support and promote the Government’s hotline (1300) as a mean to report child abuse and children in dangerous situations.
  • Seek agreements with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to support the network and the responsible tourism campaign.

Background of Friends-International’s work in Thailand

Friends-International began work in Thailand in 2005, after being requested by the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on human trafficking (UNIAP) to conduct a survey on Cambodian child beggars in Bangkok. Although the work of Friends-International in Thailand began with a focus on Cambodian migrant children, since 2006, Friends-International has expanded its activities to providing direct services to vulnerable children/youth from other nationalities including Cambodians, Burmese, Lao and Thai in collaboration with the Royal Thai Government, the Bangkok Municipal Administration and other organizations.

Specifically Friends-International has initiated outreach services and established a drop in centre (for children and youth to access during the day) as means of providing direct services to a greater number of marginalized children in Bangkok (including foreign migrant children and Thai marginalized children and youth), filling a much needed gap in services for these group. The outreach teams play an important role in making initial contact with young people and offering options to children and youth living and working on the streets so they may move away from street life.

Friends-International disseminates critical information to marginalized communities promoting safe migration, (including official migration options), and highlighting the potential dangers of human trafficking. In addition, Friends-International implements awareness raising initiatives concerning HIV and other health related issues to vulnerable children, youth and their families. Friends-International also provides skills based training to detained migrants through the organizations Home Based Production initiative, as a means of increasing migrants’ employment prospects on their return to their country of origin. A sustainable source of income will provide families with alternatives to migrating/re-migrating and an opportunity for children and youth to receive an education and or vocational training.

The ChildSafe Network program in Thailand is implemented by Friends-International Thailand based in Bangkok.

For more information about the ChildSafe Network, please contact:

Mr. Chalermrat Chaiprasert
ChildSafe Network Project Coordinator Thailand
Email: cha@friends-international.org

Friends-International Thailand
1/20-21 Sukhumvit Soi 3 Klong Toey
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 - 655 3632