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Phuket Volunteers Answer Call for Help, Find Boy Lost in Bangla
By Chutima Sidasathian Saturday, June 28, 2014
PHUKET: The worst 30 minutes of their lives for an Australian family holidaying on Phuket were followed by perhaps one of the best moments early today.
In the hectic scene of bars and go-go dancing platforms that is Patong's Soi Bangla walking street, the family lost an eight-year-old boy.
Desperate and fearing the worst, they contacted Tourist Police volunteers Malika, Ronnie and Marc for help.
''My team and I helped to find the kid,'' Ronnie told Phuketwan today.
''The parents were crying, and when we found the boy, he was crying, too.
''With the help of team leader Khun Wichai and the other volunteers, everything turned out well.
''The family thanked the volunteers a lot. We were happy to be able to help.''
Malika added: ''We do this not for the money, but to help. It was a good moment for us all.''
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Glad this was resolved quickly but is Bangla really an appropriate environment for an 8 year old?
As you pointed out in your article Bangla is a 'hectic scene of bars and go-go dancing platforms'. Not something I would expect children to be exposed to.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
June 28, 2014 12:11
An australian family take their 8 year old to an adult area. Beggars belief!
Posted by
jimbo34
on
June 28, 2014 12:20
Jimbo32, according to the governor there is no "adult" or illegal activity in soi bangla, if you believe there is I suggest you do as he has requested, that is contact him.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
June 28, 2014 13:21
Not an appropriate place for a 8 year old. A child cannot understand the "entertainment" area and the bright lights would tempt him to walk off. If the parents want to see they should have arranged a carer at their hotel and left him there. Having lived here a long time the chances of a white boy being taken, or a white girl would be very small as the implication for tourism would be terrible so if someone did so the "heat" would be on them. Harse but true. Not a place for kids, don't you think they wonder why so many ladies are doing strange things. "Mummy what does that sign mean - I want to play ping pong"
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
June 28, 2014 14:24
Bangla is changing! there are lot of families and couples walking there. yes, still many old guys looking for young girls but bars are getting less customers...times are changing. I wont be surprised if TAT will shortly start to promote Bangla as tourist attraction
Posted by
bernard
on
June 28, 2014 15:21
Bernard why do you discriminate against age, I'm sure there are young men also looking for young girls and I'm sure their are also guys young and old there only to see the sights and enjoy a night out. Your comment seems rather juvenile, time to grow up.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
June 28, 2014 17:31
Taking a child there ???? How wrong is that.... Glad it all ended on a happy note.... Bet his parents were so happy..
Posted by
Robert
on
June 28, 2014 20:50
Kids run the show these days..
Eight year old says to Parents: JUMP!!!
Parents say: How high?
Eight year old says: Bangla Road, I could use a game of ping pong, and I want to see some funny clowns...dressed up as sex-pats no less.
Posted by
farang888
on
June 28, 2014 22:27
wish I was lost on the bang..oh for a bottle of sing 555 love from dublin
Posted by
on the dry
on
June 28, 2014 23:59
I'd take my 8yr old there
Check what time they lost the boy
Honestly chill out let the kids see the street performers and enjoy the atmosphere
Posted by
Troy
on
June 29, 2014 01:33
Please do not bring children under 16 to bangla road it is for adults and it must be treated as such
Posted by
Andrew wattson
on
June 29, 2014 17:04
What a load of BS. Just exactly how do you get from thaweewong road to rat-u- thit and visa versa? Take a tuk tuk for a 4 km round the block journey!
The unfortunate thing is some of the 8 years olds probably have more intelligence than those who think it unsuitable.
Since when did the 'cotton wool' parenting association visited Phuket. Life is about experience and the sooner and more you experience, the more you learn.
Posted by
Manowar
on
June 29, 2014 18:58
Who are any of you to judge someones parenting methods? No one has that right.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
June 30, 2014 00:44
@anonymous , everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Discussion on someone's parenting skills is valid, be it positive or negative feedback.
Children are not property and if poor parenting is demonstrated, more people should speak up , as the result of poor parenting can have lasting negative effect on the child
Posted by
spud67
on
June 30, 2014 08:05
Lots of families with young children on Bangla as late as 10-11pm. Patong is, after all, billed as an international family oriented tropical resort destination.
Posted by
NomadJoe
on
June 30, 2014 18:56
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Glad this was resolved quickly but is Bangla really an appropriate environment for an 8 year old?
As you pointed out in your article Bangla is a 'hectic scene of bars and go-go dancing platforms'. Not something I would expect children to be exposed to.
Posted by Mister Ree on June 28, 2014 12:11