The figures were revealed during a meeting of the Provincial Justice Administration Development Committee (PJADC), chaired by Vice Governor Adul Chuthong at Phuket Provincial Hall last week.
Data presented by the Phuket Shelter for Children and Families at the meeting showed that the cases included nine incidents of domestic violence and two cases of sexual abuse committed by stepfathers.
Other cases involved children under the age of 12 committing offences, children running away from home, abandoned children, blackmail cases, undocumented migrant children and stray children.
The Phuket Shelter for Children and Families said 17 cases were linked to parental failure, with most involving parents imprisoned on drug-related charges. Of the total cases, 18 children were placed under protection outside child welfare centres, while 14 cases remain under legal proceedings.
For comparison, during the previous fiscal year from Oct 1, 2024 to Sept 30, 2025, the Child Protection Center handled 67 cases within its facilities and provided home-based protection and follow-up care for 157 children, bringing the total to 224 cases.
On the police front, Pol Lt Col Wicheth Suwanno of the Phuket Provincial Police, said officers were responsible for investigating cases and coordinating with partner agencies to address issues affecting children and families. He noted that last year police recorded 267 complaints related to abuse and domestic violence, with 241 cases leading to arrests involving 354 suspects.
Despite not all cases reported finding their way to court, Wichian Chaisorn, Director of the Phuket Provincial Justice Office, said sexual violence and abuse cases under court proceedings last year rose to 213 cases, an increase from 82 cases in 2024.
Officials at the meeting identified strained family relationships, drug abuse, divorce, lack of parental supervision and limited awareness of children’s rights and self-protection as key risk factors contributing to abuse and violence against children.
The meeting also reviewed progress on youth-focused initiatives, including a Youth Leadership Camp aimed at building social resilience and a support centre for ex-prisoners and job seekers.
“The initiatives form part of a broader effort to strengthen child protection mechanisms, address violence at its root causes and improve long-term justice and welfare outcomes for vulnerable children in Phuket,” Vice Governor Adul said.