I've seen these children selling flowers in the Nanai area and the old Patong market recently. They get dropped off by someone on a motorbike, then wander through the bars and eateries selling their wares.

The Thais I've asked say they are not Thai children, probably Burmese or Cambodian (or obviously Vietnamese).

Their 'handlers' must find that exploiting children for the 'aww, how cute' factor is acceptable and quite profitable. I find it despicable.

I can only hope people refuse to buy from them so as not to encourage this practice.

Posted by Relox on January 27, 2012 15:46

@Relox: The problem is, if you don't buy their flowers they may get another black eye.

Posted by Eric on January 27, 2012 16:48

Many of these children are made to work in Phuket. The police are fully aware. It's the same in Bangkok and Pattaya.

Posted by Billy on January 27, 2012 16:58

There are at least two other very young Vietnamese children doing this on Patong Beach: one boy (even younger) and one girl.

Posted by Anonymous on January 27, 2012 17:33

Eric's comment might be misconstrued as insensitive. I didn't take it that way, and don't believe he meant it to be.

But the sad reality is that there is a ring of truth to it. The girl in the article was said to have bruises consistent with having been beaten. Was it because she didn't meet her 'quota'? I suppose it's not fair to speculate at this time without further details.

However, the fact that a 7 year old Vietnamese girl somehow ended up in Phuket selling flowers, and living with some woman she calls 'mum' is curious at the very least.

The exploitation of children - anywhere - for any reason is reprehensible.

Posted by Relox on January 27, 2012 19:19

It's a well known fact that one should never ever buy anything from children or give children beggars anything. If you do, that will guarantee they will continue to be forced selling things and beg, won't get an education will be trapped in poverty etc etc. It's a vicious cycle. Sure, if people suddenly started acting responsibly and stopped buying or giving anything to children the result would probably mean suffering in the short term, but a better chance at less suffering in the longer term. If a kid begging or selling something would automatically mean no chance of getting anything or selling anything we would NOT see children begging in the street.

Posted by christian on January 27, 2012 21:52

I saw some weeks ago frequently an old lady sitting on Ratthutit road near K-Hotel gate and some small children seemed to work for her-sale something in the Soi Bangla area.

Posted by Alfred on January 27, 2012 23:35

We lived near a flower seller in Chalong; she spent her days working at a cafe then weaving the flowers for sale that night, assisted by her children. For her/them it was a means of survival as the father of the three kids had abandoned them and returned to the UK, so please not so quick to damn these people as slave traders. Certainly not her preferred choice of existence.

Posted by Talisman on January 28, 2012 07:36

Eric (Rico Suave) is correct.

Posted by JingJing on January 28, 2012 10:40