NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Thailand – Officers from Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) raided two karaoke establishments in Khanom District and arrested two women accused of operating prostitution rings involving underage girls.
The operation followed complaints from local residents in Thong Nian Subdistrict who reported that karaoke venues in the area were secretly offering sexual services with girls under 18. CIB officers launched an undercover investigation and confirmed the illegal activity. Police then staged a sting operation by posing as clients, arranging the purchase of sexual services, which led to the arrest of two suspects at the scene.
The arrested individuals were identified as Ms. Wanwisak, 37, and Ms. Rungnapa, 49. Officers confiscated 2,400 baht in marked bills used in the sting and a notebook listing prostitution transactions. Both women now face multiple serious charges, including human trafficking, procuring minors for acts of indecency, managing a prostitution business, and facilitating the sexual exploitation of individuals aged between 15 and 18. They are also accused of endangering the welfare of minors and encouraging behavior likely to lead to juvenile delinquency.
During the raid, police rescued two victims: a 15-year-old girl, referred to as Ms. A, and a 17-year-old girl, referred to as Ms. B. Ms. A told authorities she had been working at the karaoke bar for just over a month and had serviced more than 70 clients, earning up to 3,000 baht per session, half of which went to the madam. Ms. B said she had been employed at the venue for about 15 days and had serviced more than 40 clients, with her highest fee being 2,500 baht, also split with the establishment owner.
Both girls were immediately placed under the care of a child protection center, where they are receiving support and counseling. Authorities said the case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating the trafficking and exploitation of minors under the guise of legal entertainment businesses.
Police emphasized that operations like this are part of a broader national effort to eliminate child exploitation and bring offenders to justice. They also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving minors to help protect vulnerable individuals from abuse. (TNA)
