Thai anti-trafficking police have arrested a 38-year-old Samut Prakan man accused of arranging underage girls for prostitution through online channels and private groups.
Police identified the suspect as Saran, also known as "Yod", who allegedly operated social-media accounts under the name "Yod The Kids". He was arrested on 5 September 2026 in what police described as their second arrest of him.
The operation was ordered by Police Lieutenant General Nattasak Chaowanasai, head of the Central Investigation Bureau. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, commander of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, led the investigation alongside senior officers from its Division 1.
Police allege online recruitment of minors
Officers seized the "Yod The Kids" social-media account, photographs of children holding signs bearing that name, purported customer reviews, chat records concerning sexual services and referral payments, bank-account details and a mobile phone.
Division 1 investigators said they had been tracking networks suspected of sourcing people under 18 for prostitution online. They allegedly found a Line account using the "Yod The Kids" alias, with a profile phrase translated as: "I will never die from the prostitution business."
Police said an undercover officer joined the account's network. Investigators allege Saran contacted girls under 18 via social media and by befriending those living around Soi Dan Samrong, near his home.
According to police, he would begin with the message: "There is work that pays money, are you interested?" If a child showed interest, he allegedly told them it involved selling sexual services before discussing pay and conditions.
Police said details including names, physical measurements, rates, restrictions and locations were then circulated in closed groups, explicitly identifying the girls as under 18. Children were allegedly made to hold "Yod The Kids" signs as proof they were part of his network.
Fees allegedly separate from girls' payments
Investigators said he charged clients referral fees separate from the girls' payments: 500 baht to introduce one person on one occasion, 1,000 baht for three people, or 1,500 baht for unlimited introductions. Police said the girls were paid around 3,000 to 5,000 baht per encounter.
Police said several under-18 girls were found in the suspect's network, including a 17-year-old whom he allegedly contacted, encouraged into prostitution and supplied with clients.
Saran reportedly confessed to having a sexual interest in underage girls and said he had referred about 50 girls. He was taken to Division 1 for further legal proceedings.
Previous conviction and new charges
Police records show he was arrested by the same division on 11 January 2022 during an operation against underage sexual-abuse material. Officers then found a large quantity of such material on his computer, and he admitted receiving 500 baht per referral, police said.
A court sentenced him to 12 months in prison for importing and distributing obscene computer data for commercial purposes, suspended for two years.
He now faces charges including human trafficking; procuring, luring or taking a person for prostitution even with consent; facilitating or benefiting from another person's prostitution; and taking a minor aged over 15 but under 18 from a parent, guardian or carer for profit or indecency.
Picture courtesy of Komchadluek
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6 September 2026
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