Foundation of Child Understanding, Chiang Mai

Protecting children.
Confronting trafficking.

Since 2002, FOCUS has coordinated government and NGO teams across upper northern Thailand and its borders with Myanmar and Laos, protecting children and supporting survivors of human trafficking and abuse.

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**20+ Years** Pioneer of the Chiang Mai Model for child protection, since 2002

2002: Founded as TRAFCORD
9: Provinces in northern Thailand
3: Countries: Thailand, Myanmar, Laos
MDT: Multi-disciplinary team model

Victim protection● Legal assistance● Social work● Prevention campaigns● Youth development● Community networks● Cross-border cooperation● Multi-disciplinary teams● Victim protection● Legal assistance● Social work● Prevention campaigns● Youth development● Community networks● Cross-border cooperation● Multi-disciplinary teams●

What we do

What we work on

Human trafficking

Receiving reports, coordinating rescues, and supporting survivors through recovery and prosecution.

Child abuse and violence

Victim-centred protection for children facing abuse, exploitation, and violence.

Gender equality

Strengthening the rights of women, minorities, and vulnerable groups without discrimination.

Our story

Two decades of the Chiang Mai Model

FOCUS pioneered the multi-disciplinary team approach - police, social workers, lawyers, and NGOs at one table for every case. International development circles know it as the Chiang Mai Model.

2002
TRAFCORD founded

The Anti-Trafficking Coordination Unit for upper northern Thailand begins work in Chiang Mai.
2006
Public Benefit Organization

Registered under the Social Welfare Promotion Act, registration No. 1020.
2009
International recognition

Commended in the U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report.
2011
The FOCUS foundation

Registered as a Thai charity: Foundation of Child Understanding, No. CM 349.

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Programs

Projects and activities

Ten programme areas cover the full arc of protection, from the first report to reintegration and prevention.

All projects

Featured program

Protection of rights

In terms of protection, FOCUS’s project receives reports of human trafficking, investigates these cases, rescuing victims, helping them recover and return to normal lives. FOCUS’s case work…