Five foreign nationals have been arrested in an overnight operation on Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok after complaints and social-media footage alleged street prostitution. The five, aged between 29 and 45, were detained at 12.10am on 25 July 2026 in Khlong Toei district. Police said they now face an administrative fine, visa cancellation, deportation and blacklisting from future entry to Thailand. Complaint led to overnight operation The operation was ordered by Metropolitan Police Division 5 commander Major General Witthawat Chinkham, Lumpini Police chief Colonel Yingyot Suwanno, Lieutenant Colonel Ekkaphon Phutthikul and Lieutenant Colonel Warayut Phuangnak. Lieutenant Kritphat Lekkhla led Lumpini Police patrol and vice-squad officers, joined by Immigration Division 1 officers and officials from the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development, under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Police said they had received complaints and seen videos circulating online showing foreign women allegedly approaching tourists on the public pavement along Sukhumvit Soi 4. Officers carried out surveillance before identifying and arresting people whose behaviour they considered consistent with soliciting for prostitution. Three Vietnamese women, one Filipino ladyboy and one Tanzanian woman were detained. All five were charged with contacting, soliciting, introducing themselves to, following or persistently approaching people in streets or public places for prostitution in a manner deemed open, shameful or a public nuisance. Fines followed by immigration action Colonel Yingyot said the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development would impose administrative fines under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act 1996. The suspects were then handed to Immigration Division 1 officers for action under Section 12(8) of the Immigration Act 1979, including revocation of permission to remain in Thailand and removal from the country. All five were sent to the Immigration Bureau's Suan Phlu office for legal processing. Police said their visas would be cancelled and they would be blacklisted, meaning they would not be able to return to Thailand. Agencies plan continuing joint operations Lumpini Police, the department and immigration officers have also met to discuss how administrative fines should be handled under the prostitution law. The department had asked the Council of State on 16 February 2026 whether police could be appointed as state officials authorised to impose such fines. The Council concluded that the ministry could not make that appointment because police are not officers responsible for duties under Section 5 of the 1996 Act. Authorities have therefore drawn up a joint plan for Lumpini Police, the department and immigration officers to continue operations against foreign nationals involved in prostitution in Thailand. The five suspects were also referred to Lumpini Police investigators for further legal proceedings. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? 26 July 2026
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