Udon Thani Karaoke Bar Raided for Human Trafficking

[webfact]

 

 

 

Authorities in Udon Thani conducted a late-night raid on a popular karaoke bar on June 20, revealing an underage human trafficking ring. The operation, led by Governor Wanchai Kongkasem and district chief Vimol Surasen, targeted a venue in the bustling Sampanmitr area, known for catering to tourists and foreign patrons.

 

During the raid, officials discovered ten women working at the establishment, including three underage girls: two aged 16, and one aged 18, who had been working there since she was 16. These young women primarily served foreign customers, and the venue lacked the proper operational licence required under the 1966 Service Place Act.

 

Authorities uncovered a ledger containing customer names and a significant number of unused condoms. The bar also kept detailed income records and customer lists, further implicating it in illicit activities. Given that the establishment employed minors for sexual services, it was marked as a significant case of human trafficking.

 

The underage girls were escorted for further interviews and screenings by a multidisciplinary team before being sent to a children’s shelter for psychological rehabilitation. The police filed charges against the bar for human trafficking involving the sexual exploitation of minors, operating without a licence, and violating orders from the National Council for Peace and Order regarding service establishments.

 

Investigations confirmed the establishment acted as a front for a service place exploiting minors. Many of the staff came from troubled backgrounds, such as families facing divorce or financial difficulties, which led them into this situation. The bar’s clientele mainly consisted of middle-aged Thai men and foreign tourists.

 

Authorities urge the public to report signs of human trafficking immediately. Those with information can contact the Rights Protection Foundation or the Damrongtham Centre at district, provincial, or Ministry of Interior levels via the hotline 1567. This case highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and cooperation to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals.

 

Picture courtesy: Khaosod

 

-- 2024-06-21

 

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[JoePai]

The bar also kept detailed income records and customer lists

 

Go after the perverts - name and shame

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

The bar also kept detailed income records and customer lists

 

Go after the perverts - name and shame

 Yes indeed. Should be interesting  (quote)

 

known for catering to tourists and foreign patrons.

[MalcolmB]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

known for catering to tourists and foreign patrons.

Often the bars/brothels that cater to the foreign patrons are often owned and managed by foreigners, the big Soi 6 Pattaya group being a good example. 
 

It is pretty low being a foreign pimp from a rich western country coming here to exploit children in poverty for financial gain. 
 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Many of the staff came from troubled backgrounds, such as families facing divorce or financial difficulties,

 

[jingjai9]

The article does not mention the name or location of the bar - in the province or in Amphur Muang??????

 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The underage girls were escorted for further interviews and screenings by a multidisciplinary team before being sent to a children’s shelter for psychological rehabilitation. The police filed charges against the bar for human trafficking involving the sexual exploitation of minors, operating without a licence, and violating orders from the National Council for Peace and Order regarding service establishments.

One of the girls said she had been employed there for two years age 16-18..

The bar had no licence to operate...

Local police blind?

[MeePeeMai]

55 minutes ago, jingjai9 said:

The article does not mention the name or location of the bar - in the province or in Amphur Muang??????

 

 

 in the bustling Sampanmitr area.

 

Sounds like soi sampan to me.  

[MeePeeMai]

19 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Local police blind?

 

I have never seen the police in Udon check on any bar (except during Covid lockdowns). 

 

My guess is that a jealous nearby bar owner dropped a dime on them because they had so much business and so many customers (trying to eliminate the competition).  Probably had to make numerous calls just to get any kind of response.

 

Many bars and massage parlors in Udon don't have business licenses and get away with it but selling underage girls will eventually get them in hot water.

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

It is pretty low being a foreign pimp from a rich western country coming here to exploit children in poverty for financial gain. 

Thais do it all of the time.

A good friend of mine found out that her daughter's virginity (13 years old) was being offered for sale by the grandmother.

Then there are the 'agents' of banks offering to pay off bank loans by 'buying' a daughter.

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

 

 in the bustling Sampanmitr area.

 

Sounds like soi sampan to me.  

Sure. Only the transcriptions are confusing.

(Saphanmit, Samphantamit, Saphanthamit, ...).

Walked there a hundred times and don't know which would be a typical karaoke?

Report in Khaosod mentions girls of age 16 and 17.

Edited June 21 by KhunBENQ

[Stanton681]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The bar’s clientele mainly consisted of middle-aged Thai men and foreign tourists

 

[KhunBENQ]

Some reports name the location.

I searched thoroughly for it, no idea where it is exactly.

No name I ever came upon.

[novacova]

3 hours ago, jingjai9 said:

The article does not mention the name or location of the bar - in the province or in Amphur Muang??????

 

Why are you interested in this information I wonder 

[novacova]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities uncovered a ledger containing customer names

Good, make their names public along with their photos.

[tlcwaterfall]

2 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

 

I have never seen the police in Udon check on any bar (except during Covid lockdowns). 

 

My guess is that a jealous nearby bar owner dropped a dime on them because they had so much business and so many customers (trying to eliminate the competition).  Probably had to make numerous calls just to get any kind of response.

 

Many bars and massage parlors in Udon don't have business licenses and get away with it but selling underage girls will eventually get them in hot water.

 

 

I am in Udon each month and police regularly check the bars mainly due to neighbours complaining about the noise. Five minutes after the police are gone bars start serving again and generally keep the music down low. Photos of the bars are taken and the police are usually gone in about ten to fifteen minutes.

[Maitdjai]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

One of the girls said she had been employed there for two years age 16-18..

The bar had no licence to operate...

Local police blind?

No proper license, according to "the act of 1966".

I always have to grin about these "license" allegations. 

License for what?

For human trafficing, 

for sexual extortion?

Maybe it was legal in 1966, and the bar pimp just missed to extend a "grandfathered" license from 1966?

Fact is, they've slept a long time. Too many foreigners attended the venue? Good occasion, to wash the sins off the hands.

 

 

Edited June 21 by Maitdjai
Correction for English language lecturers

[Maitdjai]

4 hours ago, Stanton681 said:

The bar’s clientele mainly consisted of middle-aged Thai men and foreign tourists

"Foreign Tourists"?

I'd say "older" expats!

Not so many "tourists" gathering in those backyard "Karaoke" Bars, up there. In the middle of nowhere.

But, I've heard, those districts are the real "bargain" areas for long time stayers.

Everything, not only the amazing culture, is so "authentic".

Lol.

 

Edited June 21 by Maitdjai
Correction for English language lecturers

[Maitdjai]

8 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Often the bars/brothels that cater to the foreign patrons are often owned and managed by foreigners, the big Soi 6 Pattaya group being a good example. 
 

It is pretty low being a foreign pimp from a rich western country coming here to exploit children in poverty for financial gain. 
 

 

Soi 6 is not Udon!

TiT pimps are not low?

No, they're forced into this "devils" circle by starving.

Lol.

 

[MeePeeMai]

12 hours ago, tlcwaterfall said:

I am in Udon each month and police regularly check the bars mainly due to neighbours complaining about the noise. Five minutes after the police are gone bars start serving again and generally keep the music down low. Photos of the bars are taken and the police are usually gone in about ten to fifteen minutes.

 

Sounds like you stay out late.  I usually go home before about 9 or 10pm and never see the cops checking anything unless there is a problem such as a fight or an accident or a crazy yaba head harassing the customers etc.

 

Though I have definitely seen underage girls working in the bars, I have never seen a "spot check" for underage girls, underage patrons in the bar or the police checking business licenses.  I lived in Udon for more than 5 years.

Edited June 22 by MeePeeMai

[jingjai9]

13 hours ago, novacova said:

Why are you interested in this information I wonder 

Dear Novacova,
For your information I have lived and worked in Udon nearly 20 years. 

 

Usually the police raid places when they receive a complaint locally. Several years ago a Karoake in Udon was closed down because a teacher in the Muang District saw one of her students in front of the bar.
 

 

[watchcat]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities in Udon Thani conducted a late-night raid on a popular karaoke bar on June 20, revealing an underage human trafficking ring.

 

How would they otherwise get the punters inside their establshment ?

[Blueman1]

15 hours ago, novacova said:

Why are you interested in this information I wonder 

Maybe He Want's to go there one Night ??

[Blueman1]

15 hours ago, novacova said:

Good, make their names public along with their photos.

Then They'll maybe RUNNING for the Hills,But I Doubt it !!

[transam]

21 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Often the bars/brothels that cater to the foreign patrons are often owned and managed by foreigners, the big Soi 6 Pattaya group being a good example. 
 

It is pretty low being a foreign pimp from a rich western country coming here to exploit children in poverty for financial gain. 
 

 

Good morning Goat, sorry, Malcolm, amazing how much you know in just a few weeks in LOS, or was it 40 years................😂

[Stanton681]

More info here (they’ve got the spelling wrong of Wattanuwong Road where there’s bars round the corner from Soi Sampit):

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2024/06/21/udon-thani-karaoke-bar-caught-selling-minors-to-foreign-clients/