A Pakistani Christian asylum-seeking family in Thailand was torn apart when immigration police arrested three adults and detained them in harsh IDC conditions.
Their 15-year-old son was released due to his age, leaving his 20-year-old brother struggling alone to care for him.
The family urgently needs 150,000 Thai Baht to secure bail and reunite.
BACA has launched an emergency appeal to free them and restore hope in their darkest moment.
On 18th November, Royal Thai Immigration Police raided a condominium building in Paruchunith as part of Thailand’s nationwide crackdown targeting foreigners overstaying their visas.
Caught in this sweep were four members of a Christian asylum-seeking family, who have lived in Thailand for over twelve years, unable to return to Pakistan due to severe persecution.
The Arrests
The ordeal began when 15-year-old Ayan Sharafat stepped outside his home. Two plain-clothed immigration officers approached him, asking for identification and visa documents. When Ayan refused—fearing the implications, as many asylum seekers do—the officers revealed their identity and pressed him further.
Knowing he could not escape, Ayan explained that he and his family were Pakistani Christians seeking asylum. The officers then forced him to call out the other family members inside the house.
Arrested on the spot were:
Azra Sharafat (56) – Mother
Sharafat Masih (48) – Father
Adan Sharafat (22) – Elder brother
Ayan Sharafat (15) – Released by court for being underage
The next day, the family was taken to court. Ayan was freed due to his age, but the judge ordered his parents and brother to be transferred to the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre (IDC). They were later moved to the Bang Khen IDC, where they remain confined.
A Family Torn Apart
The only adult sibling not arrested was Aroon Sharafat (20), who was out at the time of the raid. Now responsible for caring for his younger brother, he reached out to BACA on 10th December in desperation.
Aroon told BACA representative Jahanzeb Masih:
“I am completely alone now—trying to care of my younger brother while my parents and elder brother remain inside IDC. The situation is overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. I humbly request urgent help and intervention for my family.”
The family cannot pay the required bail amount, which is:
50,000 Thai Baht per person
150,000 Thai Baht total (approximately £3,250)
Without bail, the family risks prolonged detention under extremely harsh conditions, with overcrowding, limited medical access, and constant psychological stress.
How BACA Is Responding
BACA is preparing to intervene urgently to secure the release of the three detained family members. But we cannot do this without the support of compassionate donors.
This family’s story is one of countless cases where vulnerable Pakistani Christian asylum seekers in Thailand live in constant fear—unable to work legally, access education, or even step outside without risking arrest.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee, British Asian Christian Association:
“No family should be torn apart simply for seeking safety. These Christians fled persecution, yet they now face detention and despair in Thailand. We are doing everything we can to reunite them—but we urgently need supporters to help us bring them back together.”
You Can Help Bring This Family Back Together
Please help us raise the urgently needed funds to pay the bail for Sharafat Masih, Azra Sharafat, and Adan Sharafat.
👉 Donate today to help free this persecuted family: Click here
Your generosity can restore hope and reunite a family torn apart by policies that leave the persecuted without protection.
