Every month the Phuket Gazette publishes crime statistics. Most of them I readily understand; drugs, theft, murder, assaults, but where I get a litle bit lost is the arrests for prostitution.

Who is being arrested? The prostitutes or the johns?

How does somebody get arrested for prostitution and where does the whole bargirl/barfine scenario fall within this system? How do the police know the money in the morning is not for the family up north or for the sick buffalo back on the farm?

Christins massage?

This crime stat just seems very confusing..................

I would imagine those are going to be brothel type setups (think soi 11) hence why its usually thai areas and people that dont appear on the farang radar, who are not paying enough to the arresting officer.. I think its used as a compliance to Tea Money system.

Not mention I think a lot of them arrested are katoeys from what I can see.

Not mention I think a lot of them arrested are katoeys from what I can see.

Those are crime stats that are released officially every month by the provincial police. As for the prostitution arrests, they are no different to being arrested for driving a salaeng, speeding, operating a noodle stand on a sidewalk or any other number of seldom-enforced laws and regulations. It's convenient for the cops to have all these laws on the books so they they can enforce them selectively, as their own needs dictate.

As for Katoeys, they are seldom if ever arrested for prostitution -- though many get arrested for robbing their johns. Equally common is them working together with the law to frame up thier clients on drug charges...

There is a story in Siangtai website today about a ladyboy named GiGi who was arrested for sealing a mobile phone from a Middle Eastern tourist...

Not sure about Phuket, but in Pattaya its normally Ukrainians arrested for propositioning people on Walking Street. Usually a 500 baht fine and their picture in the paper.

Usually a 500 baht fine and their picture in the paper.

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