Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the Royal Thai Police have arrested 3 people accused of luring a Thai man to Dubai to work in the sex trade. According to a Nation Thailand report, the suspects, two women and a man, are all Thai nationals.
Jirabhop Bhuridej from the Central Investigation Bureau says the arrests were carried out after a Thai man came forward, alleging the 3 had lured him to Dubai with promises of work as a massage therapist. Instead, on arrival, he was forced to work in the sex trade.
The 3 suspects have been named as 32 year old Janya Phuwong, 45 year old Nanthaporn Kullangka, and 37 year old Panuwat Sapsomboon. The arrests were carried out on warrants issued by the Criminal Court.
According to the report, Janya was arrested in the Mueang district of Samut Prakan in central Thailand, Nanthaporn was arrested in the Bueng Kum district of Bangkok, and Panuwat was arrested in the Kathu district of Phuket. All 3 have been charged with “colluding to commit human smuggling for prostitution, regardless of the victim’s willingness”.
The victim, who has been identified only as “B”, says he had been promised work as a massage therapist in Dubai and told that he would earn 80,000 baht a month. However, on arrival in Dubai, his passport was confiscated and he was forced to work in the sex industry.
The man was also told he would have to repay his travel costs, despite having been promised a free flight. He had also been promised free accommodation and free food, but on arrival in Dubai, was told he would have to pay off over 70,000 baht to cover his travel costs.
“B” says that on arrival at the “massage shop”, a Chinese manager seized his passport and he was forced to work in the sex trade. It’s understood B’s clients paid around 900 baht a session and half of that was taken to pay off the victim’s debt.
After being moved to a different massage shop, the Thai man managed to alert the Dubai authorities, who helped him escape and return to Thailand. Once back in the kingdom, he filed a police report.
Nation Thailand reports that Janya has confessed to all charges. Nanthaporn has confessed that she received 3,000 baht to teach “B” Thai massage, and Panuwat says he was paid 10,000 baht to lure the victim to Dubai.
It’s understood the investigation has uncovered that there was over 4 million baht in Janya’s bank accounts between the months of May and November. Jirabhop says officers have also uncovered information about travel arrangements made for several other people, who could also be potential victims.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
