Brothel bust: Thai asylum seeker facing seven years behind bars in UK

[webfact]

 

A Thai national faces seven years in prison and a severe fine for brazenly establishing an illicit brothel and escort agency right under the noses of the British Home Office as he sought asylum from his home country.

 

The audacious endeavour came to light last night, revealing that Saranwee Kwanpetch managed about 50 girls across multiple locations in London, all while he was supposed to be under Home Office surveillance.

 

Saranwee arrived in the UK on a healthcare visa in 2011, subsequently overstaying illegally for a decade until immigration authorities apprehended him. Despite this, in 2021, the 38 year old pimp was granted permission to remain in the country after applying to the Home Office for refuge, albeit with the stipulation that he refrain from working during the processing period. Despite facing multiple rejections, he continues his efforts.

Despite being closely monitored by the Home Office, Saranwee brazenly incorporated StarAsian Ltd on May 31, situated mere minutes from the Ritz. The company’s purported activities were listed as, other activities of employment placement agencies. Its website boldly advertises Asian escort services, boasting a catalogue of “over 40 special companions for every occasion,” allegedly all in the UK illegally and at risk of exploitation.

Prices for services range from £150 (6,900 baht) for an hour to £1,000 (45,500 baht) for a full night. Saranwee, originally from Bangkok, registered as a tenant at ten properties across London and Essex, some of which are alleged to have been utilised as brothels. According to one employee, he charged rent and claimed a third of their earnings.

 

Controlling another person’s prostitution for financial gain is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Furthermore, it is a criminal offence for a brothel keeper to arrange for individuals to travel for sexual services under human trafficking legislation.

 

Picture of Saranwee Kwanpetch courtesy of The Daily Mail

The escort agency’s website even offers to travel to customers unable to reach Central London, ensuring no one misses out on the fun. A customer, who identified Saranwee as Benny, reported him to immigration services in December and January to no avail.

 

It is alleged that some of the women working for Saranwee were in the UK on tourist or family visas, while others reportedly submitted false asylum claims under his guidance. One escort admitted that seeking asylum seemed easier and safer than obtaining a visa, despite facing dangerous situations with clients.

 

A Home Office spokesperson, red-faced, declined to comment on individual cases, citing longstanding government policy.

Saranwee faces being charged with Section 33A as an either-way offence and has a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment on indictment or 6 months upon summary conviction.

 

by Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-11

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

I just cannot believe that anyone seeking refugee asylum from whatever country/religion would ever engage in illegal activity. Next thing you know the media will be claiming that most refugee applicants in UK/USA/etc are fake refugees.

 

[quake]

This should not be a crime now days, grow up the uk.

 

But an asylum seeker, sure,  just like all the others are real. 

 

Ps, Looks like a few dodgy ones in that picture. 

 

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

 38 year old pimp 

 

According to one employee, he charged rent and claimed a third of their earnings.

Gawd, that's similar to what the girls down soi 6 are charged. 

 

Got a few pimps in that soi. 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Thaiman Kwanpetch Out!

 

Will this lead to protests? Calls for all foreigners to be investigated? Will the PM and Deputy PM get directly involved?

 

Of course not. He'll be banged up and shagged silly in prison.

 

Might not even be deported after his sentence either. 

[JoePai]

£1,000 (45,500 baht) for a full night !!

 

Deserves to be locked up for charging that much 

[Geoffggi]

52 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I just cannot believe that anyone seeking refugee asylum from whatever country/religion would ever engage in illegal activity. Next thing you know the media will be claiming that most refugee applicants in UK/USA/etc are fake refugees.

 

Too near the truth for many I fear ..............LOL

[proton]

He is not an asylum seeker, he's on overstay by 10 years.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Saranwee arrived in the UK on a healthcare visa in 2011

 

Just as the Conservative Party had settled in, eh?

 

Evidence, if ever it was needed, that this sort of entrepreneurial behaviour can only happen under the Tories.

[proton]

32 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Just as the Conservative Party had settled in, eh?

 

Evidence, if ever it was needed, that this sort of entrepreneurial behaviour can only happen under the Tories.

 

Only continuing what Blair started

[chiman]

Awful people and awful people 

[Jenkins9039]

Thai can leave Thailand, but Thailand can not leave the Thai.

[Jenkins9039]

*Not bad rates for London to be fair.

[Mywayboy]

Daylight Robbery or Nightlight Robbery. 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I just cannot believe that anyone seeking refugee asylum from whatever country/religion would ever engage in illegal activity. Next thing you know the media will be claiming that most refugee applicants in UK/USA/etc are fake refugees.

 

Aren't they???

[BenStark]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Saranwee Kwanpetch managed about 50 girls across multiple locations in London

 

I don't see any girls in the picture in the OP.

[AAArdvark]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

£1,000 (45,500 baht) for a full night !!

 

Deserves to be locked up for charging that much 

Cheaper than a roundtrip and hotel to bangkok

[youngster30uk]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

 

Just as the Conservative Party had settled in, eh?

 

Evidence, if ever it was needed, that this sort of entrepreneurial behaviour can only happen under the Tories.

Always some idiot gotta bring politics into it. This probably isnt as bad as the Child prostitution ring started in 2008 In rochdale, when the labour party was in power.  Blows you dumb theory out of the water!

[LALes]

Its OK, Somchai.  Just a wai and a 1,000 baht fine and you'll be on your way.  NOT!!

[Scouse123]

I hope he knows he is a GUEST in our delightful HOST country and his behaviour goes against the wellbeing of all the good citizens of the UK who will be outraged that he has done this whilst claiming asylum from the very dangerous country, Thailand.

 

Never mind the 10-year overstay. He can pay 20 GBP per day out of his ill-gotten gains. The Met Police can then check his banks and have a good old shareout in London.

 

I would like Rishi Sunak to go out and investigate this heinous crime supported by the Chief of the Met in the background and accompanied by gun-toting balaclava-clad SAS-looking Police.

 

Make sure we have a good supply of journalists asking the right questions, enabling the Met Chief to get out her blackboard and stick.

 

Finger-pointing at the offender is compulsory for anybody holding the rank of Inspector or above.

 

Then, we should put him in jail and go and check the visas and status of every Thai that owns a restaurant or leisure or massage palace in the UK.

 

 Subsequently, deport them all and blacklist any, for the slightest infraction, we catch overstaying or not adhering to their visa conditions of "not working", and for bringing our country into disrepute.

 

SOUND FAMILIAR?

 

All AN Thai apologists take note. See all the wonderful behaviour of certain people who have come to visit our country? So let's tar them all with the same brush like many do here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[kimamey]

17 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Aren't they???

I can't remember the numbers now but according to the last figures I saw from the government, no they aren't. Also a large percentage of appeals against rejection are upheld. That may have changed but I doubt it.

[sammieuk1]

Sure the have a few cabinet ministers as clients taking a rest from the pigs 🤔

[kimamey]

2 hours ago, quake said:

This should not be a crime now days, grow up the uk.

 

But an asylum seeker, sure,  just like all the others are real. 

 

Ps, Looks like a few dodgy ones in that picture. 

 

 

 

It depends on what you think shouldn't be a crime. If it's prostitution, then that is legal in the UK. The laws may have changed but I think it used to be soliciting, running a brothel and living off immoral earnings that were offences. I think it's the soliciting bit that causes problems for sex workers as you need to let people know what you're offering.

 

In my home city of Southampton many years ago prostitutes started sitting in upstairs windows in their underwear with red lights behind them, as they do in Amsterdam. To avoid the suggestion they were soliciting they would be knitting. There would be a bell on the front door with a sign saying "Model available Please ring". It didn't last though. There was also a court case accusing the Inland Revenue of living off of immoral earnings when they took tax.

[2long]

Send him back to Switzerland, and charge him for past offences that had gone unpunished.

[James105]

12 minutes ago, kimamey said:

I can't remember the numbers now but according to the last figures I saw from the government, no they aren't. Also a large percentage of appeals against rejection are upheld. That may have changed but I doubt it.

 

Regardless of whether or not they are upheld for whatever spurious reason (suddenly decided to get baptised, turned gay etc), the system is being abused on an industrial scale, so much so that even someone from Thailand is actually taken seriously for asylum and is allowed to remain in the country.  

[Nick Carter icp]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Prices for services range from £150 (6,900 baht) for an hour to £1,000 (45,500 baht) for a full night.

 

   How much would 4 minutes cost ?

[Clarkey611]

REvoke his visa. Oh, hang on!

[quake]

13 minutes ago, kimamey said:

 

It depends on what you think shouldn't be a crime. If it's prostitution, then that is legal in the UK. The laws may have changed but I think it used to be soliciting, running a brothel and living off immoral earnings that were offences. I think it's the soliciting bit that causes problems for sex workers as you need to let people know what you're offering.

 

In my home city of Southampton many years ago prostitutes started sitting in upstairs windows in their underwear with red lights behind them, as they do in Amsterdam. To avoid the suggestion they were soliciting they would be knitting. There would be a bell on the front door with a sign saying "Model available Please ring". It didn't last though. There was also a court case accusing the Inland Revenue of living off of immoral earnings when they took tax.

 

All adult sex work should be legal in the uk.

if its consenting adults, including brothels, should be all above board.

like any other business, pay tax, paid workers, health and safety. and all that goes with it all.

Better for the girls and gentlemen involved on all sides.

walking the streets is not safe for all the sex workers. 

 

Works ok in other countries, uk should do the same.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jackbenimble]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

£1,000 (45,500 baht) for a full night !!

 

Deserves to be locked up for charging that much 

its London. Not Pattaya.

[HappyExpat57]

Doggone it, their website is down. 😒