Thai police have arrested a couple accused of using a karaoke bar in Sattahip district as a front to sexually exploit two 15-year-old girls, according to an operation in Chonburi, Thailand.
The Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) said on Wednesday that Sakunala, 43, and her ex-husband Niwat, 37, were taken into custody on Dec 2 under separate arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court.
Both face charges related to human trafficking, with Niwat additionally charged with conspiracy to commit human trafficking.
According to police, the two victims, now 16 and identified only as ‘Miss A’ and ‘Miss B’, were recruited in mid-2024 while visiting Pattaya, a popular tourist destination.
The girls were 15 years old at the time and were offered work at a karaoke shop in Sattahip, about 50 kilometres south of Pattaya.
Niwat allegedly drove the pair to the establishment in a pickup truck.
The shop operated from 5pm to 3am or later, featuring a coin-operated karaoke machine where customers would sing before negotiating payment for sex, police said.
Each sexual act was priced at 1,500 baht, with the shop taking a 300-baht cut and leaving the alleged victim group with 1,200 baht.
The earnings were collected by Sakunala and paid as a monthly salary at the end of each month, minus an additional 200 baht deducted for utilities, according to investigators.
Customers paid Sakunala either by cash or bank transfer, after which the girls were taken to a nearby resort to provide sexual services.
Police rescued the two girls with assistance from the International Protection Alliance (IPA) and Our Rescue Foundation (Thailand).
The youth have since been placed in a government shelter for human trafficking victims for protection and psychological rehabilitation.
When authorities raided the karaoke shop, they found more than 20 female employees, all of whom were more than 18 years old.
Sakunala was arrested at the scene and has confessed to all charges, police said.
Niwat was not present during the initial raid but was arrested later that night after officers staked out the premises.
He denied the allegations, telling police that while he had recruited and transported girls to work at the shop, he was unaware that prostitution was taking place.
Police noted that both suspects have prior criminal records for human trafficking offences.
The case has reignited concerns over the exploitation of minors in the nightlife industry, despite repeated government pledges to crack down on child prostitution and human trafficking.
#CrimeAsia#ThailandNews#Chonburi#HumanTrafficking#PoliceRaid#ChildExploration
