BANGKOK, Thailand – Bangkok police have arrested seven Vietnamese women accused of soliciting customers for sexual services along Sukhumvit Road, following complaints that their persistent approaches were causing public nuisance and affecting the area’s tourism image. The arrests took place at around 8pm on October 30, covering Sukhumvit Soi 4 through Sukhumvit Soi 11.
The operation was ordered by senior officers of Metropolitan Police Division 5 and Lumpini Police Station, with officers from the station’s vice suppression unit, the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Immigration Bureau Division 1 taking part.
Police said the operation followed public complaints and social media posts showing groups of foreign women allegedly standing along the streets and approaching passers-by to offer sexual services. Their persistent behavior reportedly caused annoyance to pedestrians and raised concerns about the impact on Thailand’s tourism image. Officers conducted surveillance before moving in and arresting the seven Vietnamese nationals, aged between 22 and 41.
They were charged under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act for openly soliciting, approaching, following or persistently contacting people in streets or public places, or elsewhere, for prostitution in a manner considered publicly offensive or a nuisance.
The women were taken to the Immigration Bureau’s Suan Phlu office for further proceedings. Officials from the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development will impose administrative fines, while Immigration Bureau officers will revoke their permission to remain in Thailand and arrange their deportation under Section 12(8) of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).
Authorities said all seven would also be placed on Thailand’s immigration blacklist, preventing them from returning to the country.
