Bangkok, June 11 – In a pre-dawn raid today, authorities rescued two underage girls—aged just 13 and 16—from a suspected child prostitution ring operating in the heart of Bangkok’s Suriyawong district. The operation led to the arrest of two young women, aged 18 and 21, believed to have acted as their traffickers.
The sting, spearheaded by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, unfolded after an undercover officer infiltrated the ring. Disguised as a client, the officer arranged a meeting at a restaurant on Surawong Road late Tuesday evening (June 10). From there, he was directed to a nearby hotel, where the two girls—referred to by pseudonyms “A” (13) and “B” (16)”—were being held.
A Disturbing Discovery
Inside the hotel room, officers found Girl A wrapped in a towel, visibly shaken, with torn condoms scattered nearby—clear signs that the minors were being forced into commercial sex. Investigators later confirmed that both girls had been coerced into prostitution, with their alleged traffickers pocketing the profits.
Shortly after the undercover operation, police moved in, arresting 18-year-old Sarotchini and 21-year-old Lakkana at Happy Beer, a nearby restaurant. Authorities clarified that the establishment itself was not involved in any illegal activity.
Evidence & Confessions
A search of the suspects’ belongings uncovered 12,000 baht in Sarotchini’s shoulder bag and 6,000 baht in Lakkana’s, with serial numbers matching the money exchanged during the sting.
During interrogation, both women admitted to their roles in the trafficking operation, revealing a chilling payment structure:
- 4,000 baht per girl for sexual services
- An additional 4,000 baht “procurement fee”
- Total transaction: 18,000 baht
Shockingly, Sarotchini had only turned 18 a week before her arrest, raising questions about how long she had been involved in the exploitation of minors.
Legal Consequences & Next Steps
The suspects now face multiple charges, including:
✔ Human trafficking
✔ Profiting from the sexual exploitation of minors (under 18)
The rescued girls were taken to Bang Rak Police Station for official documentation before being handed over to social services. The case has since been transferred to specialized investigators for further legal action.
The bust has sparked public outrage, with activists calling for stricter enforcement against child exploitation networks in Bangkok. Authorities vow to expand their crackdown, urging anyone with information on similar cases to come forward.
Reported by Matichon | Additional details pending investigation.
