As Tremors Strike Northern Thailand, Kru Nam and Her Team Move Swiftly to Protect Vulnerable Children

A Wake-Up Call From Below

On March 28, 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Southeast Asia. Its epicenter, located near Mandalay, Myanmar, sent tremors rippling across borders and jolted Thailand awake—both physically and emotionally. In Bangkok, chaos quickly followed as a high-rise under construction collapsed, claiming at least 10 lives, injuring 16, and leaving over 100 people missing.

However, the impact didn’t stop at the capital. In Northern Thailand’s Golden Triangle region—still recovering from the devastation of Typhoon Yagi—the quake layered on new dangers. In Mae Sai District, Kru Nam and her Not For Sale Thailand team faced yet another urgent challenge: safeguarding the children in their care. These children, many of whom have survived trafficking and exploitation, suddenly found themselves amid fresh turmoil.

Without hesitation, Kru Nam and her team activated emergency protocols. They quickly relocated the children to a common hall, typically used for dining, where they now sleep side-by-side in sleeping bags. These arrangements offer not only warmth but a renewed sense of safety in uncertain times.

The Beating Heart of Not For Sale in Thailand

The roots of our work in Thailand trace back to one woman’s resolve. Kru Nam, an artist, encountered trafficked children early in her career, and that moment changed everything. By 2007, she was caring for 27 children—without a long-term plan. When she reached out for help, Not For Sale responded. What began as a promise to build one safe home has since evolved into a mission to end modern slavery and build futures of freedom.

Today, Not For Sale Thailand operates in one of the world’s most complex trafficking regions—the Golden Triangle, where Thailand meets Myanmar, Laos, and lies just 50 miles from China. With rampant displacement, opium cultivation, and smuggling, this area continues to endanger vulnerable populations, especially children. Yet, through it all, our project remains deeply embedded and committed to long-term change.

When Nature Deepens Exploitation

The earthquake in Myanmar marked yet another chapter in a relentless cycle of disasters. Just months earlier, in September 2024, Typhoon Yagi tore through the same region. It triggered floods, mudslides, and widespread destruction—ripping apart buildings, severing electricity, and displacing families.

Now, while communities still recover from Yagi’s aftermath, the earthquake has reopened wounds. Power outages persist. Cleanup crews—including troops from Mengrai Camp and 17 other provinces—work around the clock, often sleeping on temple floors or bare ground surrounded by signs of tragedy.

Amid this chaos, Kru Nam continues to show up. In recent weeks, she and her team have delivered more than 100 survival kits, rubber boots, clothing, and other essentials to quake- and flood-affected communities. The children she protects are not merely receiving care—they are giving back. Side by side with the team, they help distribute supplies, embodying resilience in action.

Disaster Creates Openings for Traffickers

Every natural disaster destabilizes communities. When schools close, homes vanish, parents are lost, and income dries up, traffickers move in. They exploit desperation, offering false hope through promises of shelter, work, or education—only to entrap vulnerable individuals in cycles of abuse.

This is where Not For Sale Thailand’s work becomes absolutely critical. We don’t just respond to crises—we build resilience before, during, and after disaster strikes. Through holistic care, education, and trauma recovery, we help children reclaim their futures. And when emergencies hit, our quick action protects them from further harm.

Powered by Local Leadership and Global Support

At the core of our impact is a powerful model: local leadership, global resources. Kru Nam is a shining example of this approach. While Thai donors frequently step in with food or clothes, Not For Sale provides the foundational funding—ensuring stability and enabling swift response when emergencies arise.

This model works. It’s why the children were safe within minutes of the quake and it’s how we ensure long-term care. And it’s what allows us to rebuild—not just to previous standards, but stronger and more sustainably.

Looking Ahead: Rebuilding With Strength and Compassion

Our current needs are clear. First, we must continue providing immediate emotional, physical, and educational support for the children. Second, we need to rebuild infrastructure that can stand up to future disasters—structures that are flood-proof, earthquake-resilient, and trauma-informed in design.

Additionally, we are calling for expanded mental health resources. These children have already endured unimaginable hardships, and each new trauma adds weight. They are remarkable—but even the strongest hearts need time and tools to heal.

You Make This Possible

If you’ve ever asked yourself what real, tangible impact looks like, this is it. It’s a woman who refused to give up on 27 children. It’s a shelter that became a home. It’s a disaster that shook the ground—but not the resolve of those who stand for justice.

And it’s you. Your support builds safer futures. It funds food, shelter, and healing. It turns protection from a concept into a reality.

So please—stand with Kru Nam and the children she defends. Help us not only survive this moment, but grow stronger through it. To support the rebuild, follow Kru Nam on Facebook and visit our donation page.