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An
Update on Don't! Buy! Thai! 
The first major objective in our war against "kiddie sex tourism" and the commercial sexual exploitation of children has been reached ... in Pedophile Paradise itself, Thailand. The people and the government of Thailand are acutely aware of and very nervous about our boycott. This point came to light at an October 4 meeting between Dark Horse Comics and Mr. Sompop Jantraka, Founder and Director of the Development and Education Program for Daughters and Communities (hereafter referred to as "DEP"). If the formation of D!B!T! could be regarded as placing a gun to the country's collective head, the recent news of the downturn in the Thai economy and the resignation of Prime Minister Banharn is confirmation that the gun is, in fact, loaded. And they know it.
There is no point establishing even the most tenuous position at the bargaining table unless we can state our demands as measurable objectives (as opposed to adjectival calls for "improvement"). As with any activity designed to force social change, we must be able to answer this question: "What will it take to call off the boycott?" These objectives, as we see them, are as follows:
The
government must enact legislation which will require significant
penalties, including lengthy incarceration, against all those
engaging in commerical sexual exploitation of children. This includes,
but is not limited to, "kiddie sex tour" operators,
brothel owners, pimps, kidnappers, those who "patronize"
prostituted children, and, indeed, any individual or organization
found to be living in the foulest predatory food chain that exists
on this planet.
Current Thai laws to "protect" children are not only toothless, they are routinely ignored. Engaging in prostitution with a person under the age of 18 is punishable only if the act takes place "in a place of prostitution"; however, if the act takes place elsewhere, the age of "consent" is 15. Girl children are regarded as property, and boy children are not even human beings - the Thai judicial system doesn't recognize even the possibility that unlawful sexual intercourse can be committed against male children.
Additionally, Section 1567 of Thailand's Penal Code allows "a person exercising parental power ... to require the child do such work as may be reasonable to his ability and condition in life." That such a law would appear in the Penal Code is clear evidence of where the Thai government stands on children's rights. Truly, there is more protection within the Thai legal system for those who would prey on children than there is legislation against them.
The
cosmetic passage of law will not protect children against commercial
sexual exploitation. So we also require the aggressive enforcement
of such laws, especially against "kiddie sex tourists"
who now proudly proclaim Thailand to be "Pedophile Paradise."
That perception will not change until the reality changes.
(Temporary) Detainment and deportation is meaningless. If detained, "kiddie sex tourists" must be put to trial, and, if convicted, incarcerated. For a long, long time. If deported, a "package" fully documenting their reprehensible activities in Thailand must accompany the predators so that the many countries which have specific legislation permitting prosecution under such circumstances can be put to the test themselves. The United States has such a law ... and not one single individual has been prosecuted under it. This will not happen unless and until Thailand "cooperates," and that "cooperation" is part of what we seek.
The
Thai government must provide economic alternatives to the sexual
exploitation of children.
It is true that Thai culture dictates that children must support their parents financially - they must produce some form of revenue for their elders. However, the statement that such revenues should come from the sexual exploitation of the children is repugnant. That is not part of the "Thai culture" (as pedophiles would have us believe) - it is the inevitable result of a government which economically disenfranchises entire portions of the population (notably the hill tribes) leaving no (apparent) alternative.
Mr. Sompop's DEP has as its goal not only the saving of children from a (short, horrible) life in forced prostitution but the creation of the next generation of community leaders - educated, skillful young people. The goal is cosmic - nothing less than cultural change. And it can be achieved.
Mr. Sompop will play a key role insofar as he will be another of our sets of eyes and ears within Thailand. He will tell us if the government is enforcing the laws as they claim they are. He is accredited by both ECPAT and UNICEF; he came to meet with Dark Horse through the financial support of the United States Information Agency, which vouched for him; and he has provided us with a verifiable résumé which dates back to when he was first inspired to enter redemptive social work through his relationship with Peace Corps volunteers when he was himself a child. Furthermore, it is the opinion of all those who have personally met him that he is an admirable, honorable warrior whose objectives mirror our own. He is another excellent means of information with regard to the situation in Thailand.
It is with this in mind that I suggest we do our part to support DEP. Mr. Sompop has a staff which is trained in identifying those children who are at the greatest risk of being victimized by the prostitution rings. Upon identifying these children, DEP schools or trains them; provides financial assistance for their general living costs; and in many cases actually houses them. At a cost of $500 US a year, these children are prepared for the future - in short, the children aren't just "saved." They will be capable of saving others.
The prostitution of children has snowballed in Thailand (and many other countries). We can only expect that momentum to halt by snatching children away from such a fate and transforming them into young adults who can earn a living without expending their own flesh. Let's see how many children we can collectively save. Donations for DEP can be sent in the following ways.
The bank account to which funds can be transferred is:
Bank:
Siam Commercial Bank, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Account
Name: DEP
Account
Number: 636-2-04182-9
Alternately, a personal bank check, in any major currency, made out to DEP, can be sent to:
Development
and Education Programme for Daughters and Communities Centre,
P.O. Box 10 Mae Sai, Chiang Rai 57130, Thailand
Phone:
(66-53) 733-186
Fax:
(66-53) 642-415
(In fact, a personal check or money order is often easier as transfers have in the past been problematic.)
This newfound ally of ours - Mr. Sompop - is a good and honorable man. His fight is our fight, and together I think we can win. But it must be understood that this work he does places him in danger. The Thai government thinks that he is somehow behind D!B!T!, and his very life is at risk because of this. He has shrugged off such accusations in the past but doesn't care to any longer. He wants to turn up the heat, and he very much puts his life on the line in doing so.
So we must beat the drums louder. We must be even more vocal for our cause. As Mr. Sompop phrased it himself, "The sexual exploitation of children is not a Thai problem, but rather a problem that occurs in Thailand. It is the world's problem, and we must work together to solve it." And so we shall.
Mr. Sompop Jantraka is the Founder and Director of the Development and Education for Daughters and Communities in 1989. DEP is a preventative operation which utilizes demographics and anecdotal information to identify those children most likely to be sold into one of the many prostitution rings in Thailand.
Upon identifying these children, the staff of DEP will help educate and school them, as well as assist in their general living costs. In many instances, they will go so far as to house the children. In short, DEP gives these children a chance instead of an ugly death. The parents, who are almost always impoverished, are not asked to contribute to the program; on the contrary, the financial burden of the child is shouldered by DEP, and the parent can expect the child to become a greater source of revenue for the parents through the program's educational opportunities. The cost of these services is $500 US per child per year. DEP currently handles 400 children, the cost of which is partially funded by UNICEF, International Labour Organizations, Asian Children's Fund, foreign embassies, and personal donations ... it doesn't get a dime from the Royal Thai Government.
With regard to "Sean Parlaman" and CAPCAT:
Mr. Sompop and his organization, DEP, are only members of CAPCAT insofar as they receive publicity - and, hopefully, as a result, donations - by being located on the CAPCAT web site. That is the only role that CAPCAT plays in DEP. "The CAPCAT organization is providing us with publicity, that is all," Mr. Sompop wrote.
And what of the role of Sean Parlaman? In Mr. Sompop's own words, in a letter sent to Andrew Vachss, "Sean Parlaman does not speak on behalf of DEP and his opinions are his own. We do not support his attacks on you and your valuable work. Please do not accept that he speaks for us. I support your work and believe that you are involved in very worthwhile activities." Mr. Sompop has made it clear that if Sean Parlaman does not "stop empowering himself with [the DEP] name, [DEP] will ask to be dropped from CAPCAT completely."
The
Truth About A Liar 
Andrew Vachss
- Official Home Page
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