Authorities in Thailand have detained eight Lao women, with seven being undocumented immigrants working as prostitutes and one serving as their madam, as reported by Radio Free Asia.
The Anti-Trafficking in Person Unit of the Thai Department of Special Investigation disclosed that the seven women, aged 21 to 36, were apprehended at a karaoke bar in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province in southern Thailand. The eighth woman is the spouse of the bar owner.
A local police officer confirmed on Monday that the seven women, arrested on April 4, remain in custody awaiting trial and eventual deportation to Laos.
Although the sex trade is technically illegal in Thailand, enforcement of laws against it is sporadic. However, immigration regulations are vigilantly upheld.
Colonel Pattanapong Sripinproh of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit explained to RFA Lao, “Individuals from Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar are typically authorized to work in certain sectors in Thailand, such as construction, but not in entertainment establishments like karaoke bars.”
He emphasized, “They are prohibited from engaging in occupations as bar girls or drink servers. Violations will result in arrests.”
Sripinproh shared that undercover officers managed to apprehend the eight women by posing as customers.
He elaborated, “One of our officers pretended to be a patron at the karaoke bar and agreed to pay 2,000 baht ($54) for intimate services with one of the women.” The bar owner and a hotel benefitted from the transaction, with the woman receiving approximately 1,300 baht ($36).
Subsequently, law enforcement officers conducted a sweep of the bar and discovered the seven women working illegally.
Sripinproh stated, “Under foreign worker legislation, violators may face fines of up to 10,000 baht (US$272) and/or two months’ imprisonment.” However, he noted that fines and jail time are often not imposed, and instead, deportation and a two-year blacklist are more common consequences for the women.
He also warned that if the husband and wife were found guilty of human trafficking, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
“However, in this instance, we determined that none of the seven women were coerced into prostitution, as they are all above 20 years of age,” Sripinproh clarified. Therefore, the couple will face charges related to running an illegal business that offers sexual services.
RFA previously reported in March about four Lao women arrested in Chonburi province for illegal entry and engaging in prostitution, claiming to have initially entered Thailand as tourists before venturing into the sex trade.
Translated by Max Avary. Edited by Eugene Whong.