Crime British Man Faces 21-Year Sentence for Human Trafficking

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of The Sun

 

In a case that has shocked both Thailand and the UK, British national William Bilton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for human trafficking activities at a notorious bar in Pattaya. The Bangkok Criminal Court handed down the sentence following the arrest of Bilton, originally from Barrow-in-Furness, two years ago.

 

Bilton, 33, was the manager of a bar on Soi 6 in the bustling seaside city of Pattaya. The venue became infamous after police raided it and removed dozens of women for questioning. Bilton remains on bail while awaiting an appeal, having been accused of exploiting a 16-year-old girl by promoting her on the bar's Facebook page and negotiating her price with patrons, according to a report by The Sun.

 

In connection with this case, two Thai men also received 21-year sentences, while a Thai woman was fined 30,000 Baht (approximately £654) and given a three-year sentence for operating an unregistered business. However, an insider claims all are currently out on bail.

 

Pattaya’s local police chief, Thanapong Phothi, asserted at the time of the raid that the arrests were intended to bolster Pattaya’s image among tourists. Despite prostitution being illegal in Thailand, the trade flourishes, particularly in Pattaya, often referred to as "Sin City." Experts estimate the industry generates a staggering 230 billion Baht annually (about £5.2 billion), with up to 200,000 sex workers across the country.

 

Authorities have announced intensified measures to crack down on both vice and drug trade.

 

 

In a separate shocking case, three Britons are facing long jail terms for allegedly attempting to smuggle large quantities of cannabis from Thailand to the UK.

 

Bella May Culley, from Wiltshire, was detained at Heathrow with over £250,000 (approximately 11 million Baht) worth of Thai cannabis in her luggage. The 19-year-old claims coercion into trafficking and faces charges for importing Class B drugs.

 

Similarly, Jason Horne, a 24-year-old father from York, was apprehended at Manchester Airport with £280,000 (approx. 12.3 million Baht) worth of cannabis concealed in his suitcases, claiming he was lured with a "free trip."

 

In another twist, Sian Warren, 34, and her partner Daniel McDonald, 36, were arrested at Heathrow with over 51 kg of cannabis valued at around £1 million (about 44 million Baht). The couple awaits a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court.

 

An NCA officer cautioned, “Thailand might be the Land of Smiles, but if you smuggle drugs or traffic girls, you’ll soon be crying into your pad Thai.”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-04

 

 

[JoePai]

Cannot be correct, naughty Brits ?

 

🤣🤣🤣

[MalcolmB]

55 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Cannot be correct, naughty Brits ?

 

🤣🤣🤣

Careful. 
we will have someone along soon telling us that it must be the Thais fault.

It hasn’t been a good week for us.

At this rate they will have to built us a special wing in the prison.

[blaze master]

21 years that's it ? 

[lamyai3]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Bella May Culley, from Wiltshire, was detained at Heathrow

 

She was caught and jailed in Tbilisi. 

[norsurin]

Wish they rot in hell!

[watchcat]

On 7/4/2025 at 4:07 PM, snoop1130 said:

In a case that has shocked both Thailand and the UK, British national William Bilton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for human trafficking activities at a notorious bar in Pattaya.

 

Good.

On 7/4/2025 at 4:07 PM, snoop1130 said:

In connection with this case, two Thai men also received 21-year sentences, while a Thai woman was fined 30,000 Baht (approximately £654) and given a three-year sentence for operating an unregistered business. However, an insider claims all are currently out on bail.

 

Not so good.

[cookie1974]

Im aware of who he is, pushing 16 year old girls he deserves everything he gets, probably done worse that no one knows about, enjoy your 21 years in a Thai prison

[proton]

6 hours ago, blaze master said:

21 years that's it ? 

 

No he will never do a day- out on bail during appeal, so with or without his passport he will do a runner, who would not facing 21 years? This story was covered already yesterday.

[newbee2022]

On 7/4/2025 at 4:07 PM, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of The Sun

 

In a case that has shocked both Thailand and the UK, British national William Bilton has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for human trafficking activities at a notorious bar in Pattaya. The Bangkok Criminal Court handed down the sentence following the arrest of Bilton, originally from Barrow-in-Furness, two years ago.

 

Bilton, 33, was the manager of a bar on Soi 6 in the bustling seaside city of Pattaya. The venue became infamous after police raided it and removed dozens of women for questioning. Bilton remains on bail while awaiting an appeal, having been accused of exploiting a 16-year-old girl by promoting her on the bar's Facebook page and negotiating her price with patrons, according to a report by The Sun.

 

In connection with this case, two Thai men also received 21-year sentences, while a Thai woman was fined 30,000 Baht (approximately £654) and given a three-year sentence for operating an unregistered business. However, an insider claims all are currently out on bail.

 

Pattaya’s local police chief, Thanapong Phothi, asserted at the time of the raid that the arrests were intended to bolster Pattaya’s image among tourists. Despite prostitution being illegal in Thailand, the trade flourishes, particularly in Pattaya, often referred to as "Sin City." Experts estimate the industry generates a staggering 230 billion Baht annually (about £5.2 billion), with up to 200,000 sex workers across the country.

 

Authorities have announced intensified measures to crack down on both vice and drug trade.

 

 

In a separate shocking case, three Britons are facing long jail terms for allegedly attempting to smuggle large quantities of cannabis from Thailand to the UK.

 

Bella May Culley, from Wiltshire, was detained at Heathrow with over £250,000 (approximately 11 million Baht) worth of Thai cannabis in her luggage. The 19-year-old claims coercion into trafficking and faces charges for importing Class B drugs.

 

Similarly, Jason Horne, a 24-year-old father from York, was apprehended at Manchester Airport with £280,000 (approx. 12.3 million Baht) worth of cannabis concealed in his suitcases, claiming he was lured with a "free trip."

 

In another twist, Sian Warren, 34, and her partner Daniel McDonald, 36, were arrested at Heathrow with over 51 kg of cannabis valued at around £1 million (about 44 million Baht). The couple awaits a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court.

 

An NCA officer cautioned, “Thailand might be the Land of Smiles, but if you smuggle drugs or traffic girls, you’ll soon be crying into your pad Thai.”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-04

 

 

Many stupid and criminal Brits in Thailand. A disgrace👎

[Nickcage49]

Prostitution in Thailand? Really? Shocking.

 

I kid, but anything involving under age kids is very serious. I'm glad they threw the book at this guy. He's going to have a fun time in prison.

[blaze master]

25 minutes ago, proton said:

 

No he will never do a day- out on bail during appeal, so with or without his passport he will do a runner, who would not facing 21 years? This story was covered already yesterday.

 

That sucks. He should be floated. 

[mikeymike100]

28 minutes ago, proton said:

 

No he will never do a day- out on bail during appeal, so with or without his passport he will do a runner, who would not facing 21 years? This story was covered already yesterday.

Even with his passport he cannot leave Thailand as immigration would get him at whichever airport, border he tried to leave at. So he does a runner but must remain in Thailand, but looking over his shoulder, all the time?

[Ralf001]

3 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Even with his passport he cannot leave Thailand as immigration would get him at whichever airport, border he tried to leave at. So he does a runner but must remain in Thailand, but looking over his shoulder, all the time?

Dont need a passport to exit Thailand.

[sandrew33]

3 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Even with his passport he cannot leave Thailand as immigration would get him at whichever airport, border he tried to leave at. So he does a runner but must remain in Thailand, but looking over his shoulder, all the time?

I think you’ll find there are several borders through which this chap could likely make a successful exit especially with willing financial backers. 

[Ralf001]

5 hours ago, sandrew33 said:

I think you’ll find there are several borders through which this chap could likely make a successful exit especially with willing financial backers. 

 

Would  have to assume someone gave him a decent wedge to take one for the team.

[ryandb]

Is this one of those bars I read about somewhere?

[Ralf001]

5 hours ago, ryandb said:

Is this one of those bars I read about somewhere?

 

Indeed it is...

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, JoePai said:

Cannot be correct, naughty Brits ?

 

🤣🤣🤣

Prostitution in the famous family friendly resort... the OP photo must be incorrect.

[wensiensheng]

Soi 6 and they raided one bar?

 

I’m not a frequent visitor but if all the bars on that street were raided, very few would not be involved in similar illegal activities.

 

Family friendly it ain’t.

[jippytum]

If  the court imposes a 21 year sentence and allows bail  it is allowing a convicted criminal a get out of jail option by fleeing the country. 

A ploy  often used by many Thai HiSo individuals and politicians. 

[Aussie999]

"unregistered business," is there a "registered" business 555.

Also, all out on bail, unlikely to be seen again, just like 2 cops up north, a few years ago (yes, some of us have long memories) that were found guilty, of murder, sentenced to death, but out on bail...vanished, I don't think there was even an attempt to find them.

[Gottfrid]

21 years is a lot of time for reflection. Hopefully this stupid guy will come to a conclusion. On the other hand it´s very doubtful.

[Ralf001]

On 7/5/2025 at 9:11 AM, wensiensheng said:

Soi 6 and they raided one bar?

 

 

 

The manager was renting out the 16yr old the the FB page.... pigs had no choice but to take him down... their hands were tied.

[proton]

Meanwhile the culprit spent his way out of trouble and is free to carry on pimping and exploiting young girls. 

[crazykopite]

Why are they on bail if they’ve been sentenced they should be locked up pending an appeal 

[quake]

8 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Why are they on bail if they’ve been sentenced they should be locked up pending an appeal 

 

Maybe to pay the correct fee,  to be allowed to skip bail and leave Thailand.

 

[Ralf001]

On 7/5/2025 at 9:16 AM, proton said:

Meanwhile the culprit spent his way out of trouble and is free to carry on pimping and exploiting young girls. 

 

And his "fill them full of sperm" text messages are vile.

[newbee2022]

23 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

21 years is a lot of time for reflection. Hopefully this stupid guy will come to a conclusion. On the other hand it´s very doubtful.

Let him die in prison !!🙏

[Cabradelmar]

This article makes it sound like the authorities are looking to quash Pattaya prostitution ("cracking down on vice"), when it's really just the underage prostitution that they are after (and rightly so).