DSI denies brothel raid motivated by politics

[webfact]

DSI denies brothel raid motivated by politics

By The Nation

 

 

THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday dismissed rumours that the recent crackdown on a major Bangkok-based massage parlour was politically motivated.
 

An ongoing investigation has suggested that the real owner of the decades-old massage parlour Victoria’s: The Secret Forever has ties with Northern and Western politicians who are planning to set up a political party.

 

 DSI deputy chief Pol Colonel Songsak Raksaksakul confirmed the links between the unnamed real owner and politicians yesterday. But he firmly insisted that the move against the massage parlour took place based on evidence, not because of a special order from someone in power. 

 

 

“There was no order for me to single out this place,” said Songsak, who has headed the operation against the parlour.

 

Last Friday, the DSI joined the military in raiding Victoria’s in Bangkok’s Huai Kwang district and rounded up more than 100 women and girls suspected of working as prostitutes there. Some of the alleged sex workers are younger than 18 years old. 

 

Songsak said he suspected that people implicated in the Victoria’s scandal might have spread rumours about the political link in the hope of portraying the case as political persecution, despite evidence strongly suggesting illegal offences had been committed at the venue. 

 

He was speaking in response to rumours that politicians linked to Victoria’s were being pressured to support Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s bid to return as an unelected prime minister in the post-election period. The DSI has taken over the case from police as the parlour allegedly was involved in human trafficking, which falls under the DSI’s jurisdiction. 

 

 

Seven people and one legal entity, Amarin Onsen, have been officially identified as suspects. 

 

All the suspects are now in detention, including Amarin Onsen’s major shareholder and licence holder Sasithorn Wirathepsuporn.

 

Sasithorn turned herself in to police on Tuesday while denying all 13 charges filed against her. 

 

She reportedly cried while in detention on Tuesday night, prompting officers to monitor her based on concerns that she might harm herself. 

Sources close to the case have said Sasithorn was just a nominee owning the business on paper but not in practice. The Criminal Court yesterday rejected her bail request. 

 

 

Metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt-General Chanthep Sesavej, meanwhile, yesterday instructed all police stations under his supervision to strictly enforce laws relating to night-time entertainment venues. 

 

He threatened to immediately transfer superintendents of police stations that are found to have been negligent.

 

Following the raid at Victoria’s, five senior policemen at Wang Thong Lang Police Station were hit with transfer orders. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has already launched an investigation of the policemen amid reports that they might have received bribes, including free sexual services, at the parlour. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30336509

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-18

[candide]

I always wondered why they particularly targeted this one among hundreds of similar places! 

[dinsdale]

My original post on Tuesday.

Three "apparently" younger than 15. Probably had bogus ID. Plenty of 18 yr olds out there. This probably has more to do with someone, pardon the pun, rubbing someone the wrong way.

As for kiddie fiddler comments above, I wouldn't call having sex with an 18 yr old kiddie fiddling.

Just now, webfact said:

An ongoing investigation has suggested that the real owner of the decades-old massage parlour Victoria’s: The Secret Forever has ties with Northern and Western politicians who are planning to set up a political party.

 

 DSI deputy chief Pol Colonel Songsak Raksaksakul confirmed the links between the unnamed real owner and politicians yesterday. But he firmly insisted that the move against the massage parlour took place based on evidence, not because of a special order from someone in power. 

Well, obviously I was wrong. 

[thaiguzzi]

SOP.

Standard Operating Procedure.

[Eric Loh]

Nothing the junta do is non political. There are dozens maybe more of parlours in that small area for the last 20 years. All with flashing neon lights advertising their activities. 

[smutcakes]

The only thing i can say with any surety is that the raid was not motivated by the criminal activity going on at the establishment.

[colinneil]

4 hours ago, candide said:

I always wondered why they particularly targeted this one among hundreds of similar places! 

Well i can think of 2 reasons.

1- brown envelope.

2- Owner not 1 of our pals.

[Get Real]

4 hours ago, candide said:

I always wondered why they particularly targeted this one among hundreds of similar places! 

Or it can just be that it´s well known, big and visually bright, right?

However, everything regarding big arrests in Thailand has a political aspect. Actually not so different from other countries too.

[brewsterbudgen]

Nothing the junta do is non political. There are dozens maybe more of parlours in that small area for the last 20 years. All with flashing neon lights advertising their activities. 

Maybe they are not employing underage or trafficked girls?

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Artisi]

25 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Well i can think of 2 reasons.

1- brown envelope.

2- Owner not 1 of our pals.

Guess that's lack of brown envelope?

[Darcula]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

She reportedly cried while in detention on Tuesday night, prompting officers to monitor her based on concerns that she might harm herself. 

 

Oh, the poor dear. Somebody, please give her a hot bath and a backrub.

[janclaes47]

Need another reason?

[mercman24]

christ, this is so obvious, shutdown the opposition, in  more ways than one lol