Phuket –
Officials carried out a coordinated operation in Patong’s Bangla Road, detaining nine foreign women suspected of engaging in sex work.
The Phuket Tourist Police told the Phuket Express that the raid, conducted at 3:00 a.m. today, February 13th, 2026, was part of a nationwide campaign targeting ten categories of serious crime, with emphasis on vice-related offenses, running from February 9–15.
Authorities said the action followed complaints from both tourists and local residents about foreign women openly soliciting in the popular nightlife district. During the inspection, nine women were found engaging in behavior that may constitute violations under Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act (1996).
Two of the women were also discovered to have overstayed their visas. They were taken into custody and handed over to Patong Police Station for further legal proceedings. Immigration officials will review their residency status once the prostitution-related charges are processed.
