PATTAYA, THAILAND — A British man has reportedly been sentenced to 21 years in prison by the Bangkok Criminal Court after being found guilty of human trafficking involving a 16-year-old girl at a notorious bar in Pattaya.
William Bilton, 33, originally from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, was the manager of Flirt Bar on Soi 6 in the seaside resort city when Thai authorities raided the venue two years ago. The bar was known for its heavy nightlife and was one of many in Pattaya often associated with Thailand’s underground sex industry.
During the raid, police questioned dozens of women allegedly linked to illegal sex work. Bilton was later accused of advertising a minor for sexual services on the bar’s Facebook page and was allegedly caught on video negotiating her price with customers, The Sun reported.
Two Thai men linked to the case were also reportedly sentenced to 21 years each, while a Thai woman was given a three-year prison sentence and fined 30,000 baht for operating an unregistered sex business. However, a local source has disputed the reported sentencing, claiming all the accused are currently out on bail while appeals are pending.
Bilton remains free on bail as he appeals the court’s decision.
Speaking at the time of the raid, Pattaya police chief Thanapong Phothi said: “We made the arrest to build confidence in Pattaya’s image among tourists.”
Though prostitution is officially illegal in Thailand, the trade remains widespread in cities like Pattaya, often nicknamed “Sin City.” Industry estimates suggest up to 200,000 sex workers operate across the country, generating approximately $6.4 billion USD annually.
Thai authorities have since pledged to intensify crackdowns on human trafficking, prostitution, and drug-related offenses in a bid to clean up the country’s image.
