My Why for Actively Protecting Children in Asian Tourism

The human mind and its desires are indeed fascinating.

We often feel compelled to express our true wishes, either openly or in secret, while society may stigmatise certain aspects of our desires. It's not uncommon to come across social outcasts when scrolling through our social feeds.

The motivations behind our actions often leave us with many questions. Through numerous counselling sessions, it has become evident that we all possess some degree of uniqueness or "craziness" embedded in our DNA that others may not fully comprehend. Whether it's an obsession with planes or indulging in expensive wines, there's something intrinsic that sets us apart.

However, much of our true selves remain hidden, kept behind closed doors. The more extreme aspects of our individuality are often best reserved for moments when the blinds are drawn and the door is nearly bolted shut.

Alternatively, some people may explore parts of the world where they can freely pursue their primal urges. What drives these desires is often linked to one's past, upbringing, or a traumatic event.

In my personal experience, it was September 1998 when I started to find my footing in understanding the enigmatic ways of Thailand. At that time, I was residing in a hotel room at a large property along the Chao Phraya River. The daily 1.5-hour bus ride from work to southern Bangkok became routine, despite the discomfort of the crowded ride. I would often break out in a sweat, having to bend over to avoid hitting my head on the low bus ceiling. Thai buses are designed with the average Thai height in mind, which proved challenging for a tall Dutch person like myself.

After a quick meal on the street and a shower, bedtime arrived. At that time, I represented a large tour operator from The Netherlands and was available 24/7 for emergencies. I just got my very first mobile telephone, and it was agreed, I had it with me all the time. Nothing strange for when you opt to exceed customer service expectations.

Phone charged, next to my bed and off to dreamland.

Or so I thought.

At around 2.30 am, my mobile went off. A Thai person with a heavy accent on the other side of the line asked me whether I was Niels and worked for tour operator X. Acknowledging these questions, I found out that I was speaking to a senior police officer of a police district office.

Through some up-and-down questioning and answering, I found out that one of the clients of this tour operator was arrested the night before for reasons the police officer was not able to explain. The only thing they could tell me was that the client was not able to speak English. Later I found out, he was not willing to speak English. I was asked to come to the police office to assist the police officer. The man in question had given my number as the main contact in Bangkok.

Five minutes later, I sat in a taxi heading towards the police office. It was a short ride, and my heart was beating faster the closer we got. It was my first real assignment as a representative; I was about to be officially baptised as a representative.

As soon as I arrived, I met with the police officer who called me. Exchanging “wai” (Thai greeting), I was guided to the back of the bureau where the holding cells were housed. Two holding cells, one empty and one occupied by the client in question. Upon checking my records, he was a single traveller who had chosen Thailand for an above-average stay (I believe it was for 6 weeks) and arrived a couple of days before I met him outside his barred enclosure.

I can still recall his southern Dutch accent, his long, greyish hair, and the unshaven look. We quickly introduced each other before I was asked to meet with the police officer to go to a separate meeting room. Here, the reason why this man was arrested was presented to me.

The night before, the client was having sexual interaction with 2 Thai children (both boys) under the age of 10. It remains unknown who tipped the police, however, from what I understand, he was caught in the act. In return, the children received money, candies, and toys from the man in question before he was performing his deed. Trying to remain calm and understanding at that time was one of the hardest things I ever had to cope with.

As the client did not want to speak English, it was now my turn to face the man and explain the situation. How I did it, I am still at a loss, but I remained calm and understanding.

He explained to me that he got in touch with the parents (not true) of the children who were desperately in need of money to make a living, and in return, the man was allowed to perform his deeply rooted needs. His tone of voice and body composition showed all the characteristics he felt he did nothing wrong. He had agreed on supporting a family with monetary needs in return for a service. His calm tenure and tone of voice assured he fulfilled his part of the deal to a desperate calling from the less fortunate.

I stayed calm.

I listened and explained to the man why he was caught. In return, he wanted me to trace back the parents and rectify the situation. With nothing but a telephone number in his possession, I handed the number over to the police officer once we went through his carry-on bag. It was filled with candy, toys, and cash, alongside some clean clothes.

As I felt the need to let this all sink in and report this to the embassy, I returned to his holding cell and told him that the police - and the Dutch embassy - would take this further as this now became something I did not want to be involved in. He looked me straight in the eyes, very stern, and with a posture like a teacher looking over a student when caught cheating on an exam. All he said was,

"If you ever tell anyone about this, I know where you live and work. You will not be safe."

My calmness faded away.

I walked straight out of the police office and headed back to my hotel room. Sleep eluded me because of the immense fear of what may happen. In all haste, I forgot my administration documents at the police office but was in no state of mind to return. But I needed these for whatever came across my path for the time to come, so I had to return.

After a couple of beers to calm my nerves, I headed back to the police office. The same police officers finished their shift and a new league of brown-dressed men and women tended shop. Fortunately, my documents were still there. I understood that during the hand-over, the night shift explained what happened, so I was happy to see everything intact and present.

The man, however, was no longer in his holding cell. His carry-on bag was also gone.

I reported the case to the Dutch embassy the same day, with the name and the itinerary of the client. I later found out that the client bribed one of the police officers to set him free. It turned out that one of the Thai police officers was indirectly involved in the whole strategy. According to the Dutch embassy, the police officer had accepted Baht 5000 to release the client before fleeing Bangkok as well. His arrest report made at the police station had also disappeared.

The client never checked into his resort in Pattaya after he left his Bangkok hotel. He never checked in on his return flight to Amsterdam. No traces of credit card payments or traveller cheques. He paid everything in cash. Even his address in The Netherlands was a fake one, apparently. He knew what he was doing.

I distanced myself from the case after I left the police bureau for the 2nd time. I also kept this story to myself - except when I had to report why this client discontinued his stay to the tour operator in The Netherlands - until I met someone from ECPAT Thailand.

My story was not the first and will never be a stand-alone story, unfortunately. I had the distinct pleasure to support the work this NGO does in protecting children from prostitution, labour, and trafficking through my story. Speaking about this helped me to overcome this impactful event in my corporate career, including lectures for educational groups and students from my previous university.??

I still follow what ECPAT is doing to date as children must be protected at all costs in the world of travel and tourism.

The mind of a child is still in development. The brain of a child is a sponge in seeking knowledge and information for living the life any child deserves. Such horrendous acts of damage is something we all should fight for.

The mind of that man may just well be one flooded with trauma and experiences that have left an unimaginable amount of damage. However, I know for sure he was aware of his atrocities in return for money, toys and candy. Just to satisfy his thirst for satisfaction.

Two years later, via ECPAT, I got the news that the Dutch national in question was caught. In Central America. Doing the same thing he thought was the right thing to do.

One down.

Way too many still running and walking free.

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. | Frederick Douglass

__

Now available! "Thrive" is my story and why I made a conscious decision to change, why health is wealth, and too many of us are stuck in the same vicious circle. Order it now via?https://lnkd.in/gArh3ZMt?or contact me directly.

?