UPDATE
The Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Major General Sermphan Sirikong has issued an order regarding the recent raid on the illegal bar in Soi Sea Dragon off Bangla Road “Walking Street”. Officials had discovered six underage female victims who were allegedly part of a prostitution service and human trafficking network. The order was made yesterday afternoon (Thursday).
The Phuket Express has reported that in order to ensure full transparency and prevent any damage to the government’s reputation, the following five Patong Police officers will be transferred to desk jobs.
The five officers, including the station’s superintendent, were sidelined to the Phuket provincial police office operations centre.
The police have been named as…
- Patong Police Chief Colonel Sujin Nilbodee
- Patong Police Deputy Chief Lieutenant Colonel Somphon Surin
- Patong Police Deputy Chief Lieutenant Colonel Naruebodin Pangleesen
- Inspector of Crime Prevention and Suppression Lieutenant Colonel Wutthiwat Leangboonjinda
- Inspector of Investigations Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Chumpusang.
This transfer will take effect from March 16 (Thursday) and will continue until further notice. The order was issued as part of a full investigation into the incident and to ensure that justice is served for the victims.
ORIGINAL STORY
A bar in Soi Sea Dragon on Bangla Road in Patong was raided by a team from the Department of Provincial Administration last night (Wednesday, March 15), uncovering an illegal prostitution service allegedly employing underage sex workers. The raid came after officials received complaints from Operation Underground Railroad.
Ms. Taksakorn, also known as Nam, presented herself as the bar manager, and Ms. Watcharakorn, also known as Yuki, allegedly acted as a broker for prostitutes. The bar was also found to be operating without permission. The two women were taken to the Patong Police Station and will face charges of operating an entertainment venue without a permit or license and human trafficking.
According to officials, six underage female victims were rescued in a nearby hotel, with the youngest victim being only 15 years old. They were taken into the National Referral Mechanism for further assistance.
Investigations into the actual owner of the bar are ongoing. The name of the bar has been withheld to protect the identity of the underage victims of trafficking. The two suspects arrested claim that the real owner is a foreigner.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
