Prostitution Ring Uncovered in Phnom Penh Karaoke Raid

[geovalin]

Police

 

 

A major prostitution ring operating behind the front of a popular restaurant and karaoke venue in Phnom Penh has been exposed, with 121 people brought in for questioning — including 14 minors.

 

The raid, carried out on 9 June by Cambodia’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department in coordination with Phnom Penh municipal authorities, targeted a building in Prakar village, Prey Sar commune, within the capital’s Dangkor district.

 

Authorities detained 104 young women and 17 men. Among them were 14 girls believed to be underage. Police say evidence strongly suggests illegal sex services were being run from the premises.

 

Major Heng Saroeun, deputy chief of the city’s anti-trafficking unit, confirmed the scale of the operation. Lieutenant General Sok Sambo, head of the department, said those involved are currently being questioned, but emphasised that no formal arrests have yet been made as investigations continue.

 

The case highlights the persistent challenges Cambodian authorities face in tackling human trafficking and child exploitation. Though officials are treating the individuals as suspects and potential victims, the incident underscores the blurred lines often present in such operations.

 

The government has pledged to strengthen enforcement and protection measures, particularly for vulnerable young women and girls caught up in exploitative systems.

 

As the investigation deepens, the case has renewed calls from child protection advocates for stricter regulation of venues often used as fronts for illicit activities, and for greater investment in social support systems to aid at-risk youth.

 

-2025-06-12

[newbee2022]

Once Pandora's box is opened.....what to do?

[Yagoda]

They treat that stuff pretty seriously here simply because of the money involved (rewards, bonuses). That venue would have catered to Khmer vis a vis westerners, since ones frequented by westerners usually get a dime dropped on them fast to the NGOs.

 

Its not as much a blatant or even prevalent thing like it was 20 years ago, what is more prevalent are the western "teachers" et al that have a ready made supply

[ignore it]

Does this mean that there’s a new mayor of K11 village?

 

The music died when Ta Mok was imprisoned near Martini’s and complained that the noise at night kept him awake, causing them to relocate.

 

 

 

[oxo1947]

Been some years since I visited--but Martini's was the place to go-- at that time there was mainly Viet girls there--2 or 3 Mama sands would approach you with a group of girl's asking if you want to hire for the night. 

[Nicco]

Lol. Phnom Penh so sus.

 

I lived there in early 90s. Little Vietnamese brothel on every corner and about half dozen mega brothel neighborhoods in the city. I had enough - became depressing. Many of those mongers died of HIV I was told about ten years back.

 

Gambling at Ricks?!!

[Nicco]

3 minutes ago, oxo1947 said:

Been some years since I visited--but Martini's was the place to go-- at that time there was mainly Viet girls there--2 or 3 Mama sands would approach you with a group of girl's asking if you want to hire for the night. 

 

Was 10-15 bucks for an all nighter