22-12-2023 (BANGKOK) The Human Trafficking Combat Division of Thailand’s Central Bureau of Investigation held a press conference on Friday, revealing the successful dismantling of a suspected prostitution ring and the subsequent arrest of seven individuals aged between 15 and 22, including both suspects and victims.
Major General Salu, the director of the Human Trafficking Combat Department, stated that officers received a report from the LIFT International Foundation, exposing an organization that was recruiting minors under the age of 18 to provide sexual services to Chinese manufacturers in the Bangkok area.
Following the report, the Human Trafficking Combat Division launched an investigation. The illegal organization, operating under the guise of travel agencies, was found to be contacting and recruiting underage girls from Mae Hong Son Province who had never engaged in sexual activities. These girls were then trafficked to a luxury hotel in central Bangkok, where they were coerced into providing sexual services to Chinese manufacturers.
During the disturbing activities, if a client discovered that a girl was not a virgin or had engaged in sexual activities before, the client would switch to anal intercourse without taking safety measures, posing significant risks of disease infection and unwanted pregnancy. The girls providing services received a “service fee” of approximately 200,000 baht (around S$7,634), with the organizers taking 100,000 baht (approximately S$3,817) per person from the total.
Upon receiving the report, the Human Trafficking Combat Division collaborated with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Mae Hong Son Province. They swiftly launched an operation, sought court approval for the issuance of arrest warrants, and apprehended seven suspects. Further investigation revealed that two were organizers, while the remaining five, all under 18, were victims of human trafficking forced into illegal prostitution and later involved in soliciting clients.
The case has been successfully resolved, and the suspects have been identified. Subsequently, the police will expand the scope of the search against gray market capitalists and other sex workers, along with all individuals involved in human trafficking. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to rescue the trafficked victims, with the identities of more than 25 victims preliminarily confirmed.
