Pictures courtesy of Kaoded

Tourist Police in Phuket arrested nine foreign women during a crackdown on alleged prostitution activities in Bangla Soi, Patong, in the early hours of 13 February 2026. Two of those detained were found to have overstayed their permitted period of stay in the Kingdom. Authorities said the operation aimed to address public complaints and maintain order in a key tourist area.

Get today's headlines by email

The operation took place at approximately 3am on 13 February 2026. Officers from Tourist Police Division 1, Subdivision 2, Division 3 (Phuket–Phang Nga), under the direction of Pol Lt Col Ekachai Siri and Acting Pol Lt Col Channarong Rodthongdee, coordinated with Phuket Immigration and the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office.

The action formed part of a nationwide suppression campaign targeting 10 prohibited offence categories between 9–15 February 2026. Authorities said they had received complaints from tourists and local residents regarding the behaviour of groups of foreign women allegedly soliciting for prostitution in Bangla Soi, located in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket province.

During the operation, officers identified nine foreign women whose conduct was deemed to constitute public solicitation for prostitution. Police stated that such behaviour had caused nuisance and concern among tourists and members of the public in the area.

The women were processed under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996). Officials also coordinated with the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office to proceed in accordance with legal procedures.

Further checks on immigration status revealed that two of the nine women had overstayed their authorised period of stay in Thailand. They were transferred to investigators at Patong Police Station for legal proceedings, with Phuket Immigration notified to consider additional action under relevant immigration laws.

Kaoded reported that authorities reiterated their commitment to intensifying enforcement efforts to ensure safety, maintain public order, and protect Phuket’s tourism image. They stated that similar operations would continue as part of ongoing efforts to regulate activities in major tourist destinations.

Key Takeaways

• Nine foreign women were arrested in Bangla Soi, Patong, during a police operation at 3am on 13 February 2026.

• Two of those detained were found to have overstayed their permitted stay in Thailand.

• The operation formed part of a 9–15 February 2026 crackdown targeting 10 prohibited offence categories.

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now Kaoded 14 Feb 2026

The other 456 got away.

How many times must they be told these are protected jobs for Thais only?

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

How many times must they be told these are protected jobs for Thais only?

It's also illegal for Thais to openly solicit for the purposes of prostitution.

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's also illegal for Thais to openly solicit for the purposes of prostitution.

But they don't cause nuisance and concern among tourists and members of the public in the area

The only people that would report them is the Thai hookers (which apparently don't exist haha 😂)

Doubt it's the tourists - that's why some are there & the locals - common they know it goes on so can't see them reporting it either!

4 hours ago, phil2407 said:

The only people that would report them is the Thai hookers (which apparently don't exist haha 😂)

Doubt it's the tourists - that's why some are there & the locals - common they know it goes on so can't see them reporting it either!

Would make sense for them, easy way to get rid of illegal competition.

Apparently it's contagious.

Not a lot of detective work needed there to spot, afro black women as well as caucasian eastern euros working the same street as the locals.........

Told the story before under previous nic about being accosted in BKK, Suk soi 6 by a couple of these African women. They smelled so bad my eyes started to water. Like they were wearing elephant perfume.....worst B.O.ever. Noooooooo thanks I said.

Always wondered who the hell is paying for African hookers in Thailand... seems an odd choice really (given the state of them) when the Thai hookers are way hotter. Guess it must be the pervy fetish or Arab brigade. I could understand it if they looked like the slender small-ass-model type but generally speaking they are nowhere even close to that and if the cops gave chase to them, then the pursuit would last about 10 yards and they would collapse to the floor.

On 2/14/2026 at 4:36 AM, Georgealbert said:

During the operation, officers identified nine foreign (African) women

Low hanging fruit, not trying too hard.

On 2/14/2026 at 9:14 AM, Priorexpat said:

afro black women as well as eastern European caucasian women

11 hours ago, Stocky said:

Low hanging fruit, not trying too hard.

Its fruitless, pun intended, to arrest prostitutes, foreign or locals. They'll be back at it again at a different location. If Thailand wasn't the Red light capital of the world, do you really think foreign females especially black women from Africa would travel that long distance to ply their trade??? When these headlines make the news, its laughable at best. In the meantime, every town, village and city in Thailand has local women offering sexual services completely unimpeded.