Phuket –
The Anti Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) raided a karaoke in the Rassada sub-district, Phuket City, over the past weekend where they reportedly uncovered 13 and 14-year-old commercially sexually exploited children.
The ATPD told the Phuket Express that on Saturday (March 30th) they raided the karaoke after they received complaints from tipsters that there were children being sexually exploited for commercial purposes aged under 18. The name of the karaoke was not released by relevant officials.
ATPD Officials conducted a sting operation and allegedly the owner of the karaoke offered a deal of 3,000 baht for sexually exploitative acts with the 13-year-old child and a 400 baht commission for the karaoke owner. The owner, Ms. Sapawan ‘Ple’, 39, was immediately arrested.
Officials also found that a 14-year-old female child was allegedly drinking alcohol with adult men in the karaoke. (Name of both minors were withheld for their protection and due to Thai law). Ms. Sapawan allegedly admitted to police that she reaped benefits from child sex exploitation and was taken to a police station for further legal processing.
The child sexual abuse victims will be taken to special service organisations to provide them assistance, said the ATPD.
