Police in Bangkok arrested six foreign women in the Sukhumvit area on May 7, following community complaints and viral social media posts. The operation targeted suspected prostitution activities, leading to the apprehension of five Vietnamese and one Uzbek national. The arrests occurred on Soi Sukhumvit 4, where police observed the women allegedly soliciting clients publicly.
Get today's headlines by email 
This action stems from increasing resident concerns about the area's reputation among tourists. The women face charges under Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, with penalties including fines up to 1,000 baht. While police confirmed the legal charges, they did not disclose if deportation proceedings would follow.
This operation is part of a broader crackdown on foreign sex workers in Thailand's tourist hubs. A previous raid in March in the same area resulted in the arrests of 16 women from various African and Asian countries. Likewise, a recent operation in Pattaya detained several foreign nationals for similar offences.
Authorities aim to maintain public order and improve the tourist image of these locations. Moving forward, police likely intend to continue such actions to deter illegal activities and uphold local laws.
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 11 May 2026