Thai Gang Arrested In London

[GuestHouse]

This from the BBC Thai Gang Arrested in London

I guess it makes sense, the trade in crooks was never going to just be a one way thing.

[howtoescape]

Somehow i cant believe these girls were forced into prostitution, but if they're hear illegally breaking the law time to give them a few thousand pound to clear off.

The people who signed the girls into the country or the English schools they are meant to be studying at should also be prosecuted with this as a seperate offence, as i cant imagine many were on highly skilled work visas.

Edited April 20, 2008 by howtoescape

[YoungFarang13]

although they might know what they are going there to do, the terms of the agreed upon contract are of course up to the controllers to modify or keep. they have no power

Edited April 20, 2008 by YoungFarang13

[taxexile]

from a reuters report

The police estimate some of the women were being forced to work to pay back a debt bond of 28,000 pounds.

"My officers are working with specialist support staff to speak to all of the women we've recovered to find out how they have come to this country and what they understood before they arrived," said chief superintendent Ian Dyson in a statement.

"What is notable about this gang is the level of exploitation that the women had to work under - their debt bond are the highest we have ever come across - in the region of 28,000 pounds. Clearly we had to act.

"We believe this gang have been running women of their own but also acting on behalf of other pimps selling on their women. This operation was designed to breakdown the criminal network exploiting these women."

The 15 people were arrested on various charges of suspicion of trafficking into and within Britain, controlling prostitution for gain and money laundering, while a large quantity of cash was removed from the addresses.

[jayjayjayjay]

This from the BBC Thai Gang Arrested in London

I guess it makes sense, the trade in crooks was never going to just be a one way thing.

Arguements for both sides of the story, what may be acceptable in Thailand ain't in the west, whether the girls new or didn't, whether the guys submitted taxi (which they obviously didn't and wouldn't), the whole thing is illegal.

[Samuian]

In Germany it is legal since 2002. It is illegal to exploit Sex workers!

"The Bundesgerichtshof ruled in July 2006 that, as a consequence of the new prostitution law, advertising of sexual services is no longer illegal."

from Wikipedia...

But it is well known that women from eastern Europe are widely exploited thorough pro-rackets.

[YoungFarang13]

i agree it should be legal but you are kidding yourself if you think illegal crime syndicates smuggling women into other countries for sex work are not likely to treat them poorly.

[taxexile]

Besides they should make prostitution legal and stop wasting tax payers money trying to police something both parties are happy to do.

"What is notable about this gang is the level of exploitation that the women had to work under - their debt bond are the highest we have ever come across - in the region of 28,000 pounds. Clearly we had to act.

this is more to do with exploitation than the rights and wrongs of prostitution.

if the women are exploited then they have no choice in what they do , and therefore they cant be happy doing it.

[Tingnongnoi]

This from the BBC Thai Gang Arrested in London

I guess it makes sense, the trade in crooks was never going to just be a one way thing.

Maybe im missing something here, but where does it state that the people arrested for this were Thai's?

[GuestHouse]

Maybe im missing something here, but where does it state that the people arrested for this were Thai's?

The statement is made in the Video Clip that the gang are Thai.

-----

Howtoescape refers to Police officers as 'Pigs', perhaps something in his own personal history causes him to take that view. However, the British Police force enjoys a wide and well earned respect and support within British society, dealing as they do on a daily basis, with matters that most of us would hope and pray we never come across even once in a life time.

The next time, and there is always a next time, that you read a report in the news of vile abuse a viscous murder or simply someone killed in a road accident - bear in mind it is a one of Howtoescape's 'Pigs' that has to deal with this, dealing with the victims, handling the details the rest of us are spared from, or knocking on a family door to tell them a loved one is dead.

But of course that is one way of looking at the police - one's view may be different if it is the the police who are looking at you.

[disgruntled]

Will they give the women asylum and a green card like they would in the US?

[howtoescape]

But of course that is one way of looking at the police - one's view may be different if it is the the police who are looking at you.

As a taxpayer in this county i am allowed to have a opinion of the police force and how theyd be better employed, an opinion i have gained through my dealings with them, i also wish theyd stop looking for no reason.

Regards to your insinuation i have no criminal record.

[YoungFarang13]

the charges didn't stick?

[GuestHouse]

But of course that is one way of looking at the police - one's view may be different if it is the the police who are looking at you.

As a taxpayer in this county i am allowed to have a opinion of the police force and how theyd be better employed, an opinion i have gained through my dealings with them, i also wish theyd stop looking for no reason.

Regards to your insinuation i have no criminal record.

As a tax payer in the UK... I paid almost 50 quid in tax last year, I too am entitled to an opinion..... I also manage to express my opinions without referring to people as pigs.

......'They've been looking for no reason... and continue to do so?!

[solent01]

Have to agree with you GH, its an unsavoury term for our officers......

Never had the pleasure of having much to do with them though, each to thier own I guess.

Interesting story by the way, no comment regarding it though as the subject is far too diverse.

[ClaytonSeymour]

Maybe im missing something here, but where does it state that the people arrested for this were Thai's?

The statement is made in the Video Clip that the gang are Thai.

-----

Howtoescape refers to Police officers as 'Pigs', perhaps something in his own personal history causes him to take that view. However, the British Police force enjoys a wide and well earned respect and support within British society, dealing as they do on a daily basis, with matters that most of us would hope and pray we never come across even once in a life time.

The next time, and there is always a next time, that you read a report in the news of vile abuse a viscous murder or simply someone killed in a road accident - bear in mind it is a one of Howtoescape's 'Pigs' that has to deal with this, dealing with the victims, handling the details the rest of us are spared from, or knocking on a family door to tell them a loved one is dead.

But of course that is one way of looking at the police - one's view may be different if it is the the police who are looking at you.

Agreed, especially when my brother is one of the 'Pigs' to whom he refers.

[naka]

But of course that is one way of looking at the police - one's view may be different if it is the the police who are looking at you.

As a taxpayer in this county i am allowed to have a opinion of the police force and how theyd be better employed, an opinion i have gained through my dealings with them, i also wish theyd stop looking for no reason.

Regards to your insinuation i have no criminal record.

Naka.

[Gravelrash]

This story hardly surprises.

Ran into many Thais in back home, some good, most not...restaurant workers were mainly paid cash even though many were getting unemployment, others were involved in prostitution as whores, pimps (often importing girls and paying them little to refund their "expenses" or planning how to) or part timing when hubby was at work with others selling drugs, and many chronic gamblers. One approached us about being involved in importing Yaa Baa. from Thailand - yeah right. Others were trying various scams such as investing in businesses to defraud on daily same as here. For the most part were a great contribution to society.

Oh, yes the positive of restaurants expanding the cuisine and um culture, as above most Thai staff paid in cash, others relatives working for near nothing with promise of a visa, others visa-overstayers who really got abused and even beaten by their fellow Thai ruk Thais. Most of the Thai food importers were Chinese of course. One of these restaurant owners was a Thai lawyer advising Thais on how to get visas as refugees which was yet another profitable scam. No one scews Thais like other Thais.

No links to cite, just 5 years of observation in a high Thai area.

[Guest Reimar]

This story hardly surprises.

Ran into many Thais in back home, some good, most not...restaurant workers were mainly paid cash even though many were getting unemployment, others were involved in prostitution as whores, pimps (often importing girls and paying them little to refund their "expenses" or planning how to) or part timing when hubby was at work with others selling drugs, and many chronic gamblers. One approached us about being involved in importing Yaa Baa. from Thailand - yeah right. Others were trying various scams such as investing in businesses to defraud on daily same as here. For the most part were a great contribution to society.

Oh, yes the positive of restaurants expanding the cuisine and um culture, as above most Thai staff paid in cash, others relatives working for near nothing with promise of a visa, others visa-overstayers who really got abused and even beaten by their fellow Thai ruk Thais. Most of the Thai food importers were Chinese of course. One of these restaurant owners was a Thai lawyer advising Thais on how to get visas as refugees which was yet another profitable scam. No one scews Thais like other Thais.

No links to cite, just 5 years of observation in a high Thai area.

You may forget to mention what status many foreigners, include Briton but not limited too, so self named Residents, having in the real in Thailand!

Cheers.

[distortedlink]

During the 1980s my wife worked at a patisserie in Paddington, London England owned by a Swiss who mainly employed young Thai female staff. He always gave the best looking girls an option to live in his many apartments no charge but were expected to oblige with services in kind.

In time I discovered that most of my wife's Thai friends were able to remain and work in England indefinitely because they had paid a standard fee of £2000 to £3000 to an underground Thai agency with farang partners operating in the UK for arranged marriages of convenience. After 2 years the girls applied for a quickie divorce. All they had to do was get the so-called husband to sign and agree and that was it. If the girl lost contact with the marriage partner, she just got someone else to forge a signature on the divorce agreement.

The scam worked like this:

The agency would arrange for the Thai girl to enter England mainly London as a student of English language at specially chosen English language schools around London. The girl paid the agency £3000. This included the agency fee, airfare and 1 year school fee. Once in the UK on a 1-year student visa, the girl worked at specially selected work places as cheap labour and the school created bogus records that she was in attendance learning English language.

Before the 1 year student visa was up, the agency would arrange a marriage of convenience to a British or Irish subject for another fee of between 2 to 3 thousand pounds. After 2 years a quickie divorce and she could stay in the UK forever.

Once established in Britain many Thai girls gained connections with corrupt home office and council officials who were then given council accommodation in prime London locations, such as Covent Garden and able to claim social security benefits, while working cash in hand. With the government's right to buy scheme, they could later purchase the council property in their name with a gang in the background at a bargain price, raking in huge profits. Some moved on to becoming front owners of Thai restaurants, enabling them to bring over more Thais as employees with work permits. Once in, these girls could be used for any purpose, including prostitution, working willingly at massage parlours first in the London area, than later spread to other parts of the country.

At the time these girls were always on the look out for mugs to marry them as a favour so as to give permanent residence in Britain. Some guys fell for the con.

Many of these girls know exactly of what they are getting into and are not so naive as the media would have us think.

[LaoPo]

Many of these girls know exactly of what they are getting into and are not so naive as the media would have us think.[/font]

Not so many Thai girls...being naive

LaoPo

[Super Hans]

During the 1980s my wife worked at a patisserie in Paddington, London England owned by a Swiss who mainly employed young Thai female staff. He always gave the best looking girls an option to live in his many apartments no charge but were expected to oblige with services in kind.

In time I discovered that most of my wife's Thai friends were able to remain and work in England indefinitely because they had paid a standard fee of £2000 to £3000 to an underground Thai agency with farang partners operating in the UK for arranged marriages of convenience. After 2 years the girls applied for a quickie divorce. All they had to do was get the so-called husband to sign and agree and that was it. If the girl lost contact with the marriage partner, she just got someone else to forge a signature on the divorce agreement.

The scam worked like this:

The agency would arrange for the Thai girl to enter England mainly London as a student of English language at specially chosen English language schools around London. The girl paid the agency £3000. This included the agency fee, airfare and 1 year school fee. Once in the UK on a 1-year student visa, the girl worked at specially selected work places as cheap labour and the school created bogus records that she was in attendance learning English language.

Before the 1 year student visa was up, the agency would arrange a marriage of convenience to a British or Irish subject for another fee of between 2 to 3 thousand pounds. After 2 years a quickie divorce and she could stay in the UK forever.

Once established in Britain many Thai girls gained connections with corrupt home office and council officials who were then given council accommodation in prime London locations, such as Covent Garden and able to claim social security benefits, while working cash in hand. With the government's right to buy scheme, they could later purchase the council property in their name with a gang in the background at a bargain price, raking in huge profits. Some moved on to becoming front owners of Thai restaurants, enabling them to bring over more Thais as employees with work permits. Once in, these girls could be used for any purpose, including prostitution, working willingly at massage parlours first in the London area, than later spread to other parts of the country.

At the time these girls were always on the look out for mugs to marry them as a favour so as to give permanent residence in Britain. Some guys fell for the con.

Many of these girls know exactly of what they are getting into and are not so naive as the media would have us think.

As someone who worked in LA housing and for the HO for over a decade, I find this very difficult to believe. Council accommodation is given on a needs basis and is subject to vigorous scrutiny. There may have been the odd case of abuse in the past, but very rare I would suggest. Corruption within the HO is more likely, although its sheer and breathtaking incompetence is a far bigger problem. It really needs to be seen to be believed.

[Ulysses G.]

Maybe im missing something here, but where does it state that the people arrested for this were Thai's?

The statement is made in the Video Clip that the gang are Thai.

-----

Howtoescape refers to Police officers as 'Pigs', perhaps something in his own personal history causes him to take that view.

Agreed, especially when my brother is one of the 'Pigs' to whom he refers.

Some police officers certainly deserve to be called "pigs", but my guess is that the vast majority don't. It is a difficult job that usually benefits society. Why label them all in such a nasty way?

[solent01]

Some police officers certainly deserve to be called "pigs", but my guess is that the vast majority don't. It is a difficult job that usually benefits society. Why label them all in such a nasty way?

And some deserve to be called a lot worse (as well as being killed in the line of duty/corruption), but you are right UG, to make a broad statement as such, about the (honest) guys and girls that joined the police force with pure motives is unsound.

[PadThaiGuy]

Thai hookers go overseas. When caught..... claim they are trafficed, abused.........blah. blah, blah.......

[RusticCharm]

Somehow i cant believe these girls were forced into prostitution, but if they're hear illegally breaking the law time to give them a few thousand pound to clear off.

'Give them a few thousand pound to clear off'?

You jest surely.

Why not treat them them same as the Thais treat westerners arrested in Thailand.

Lock them up until they can pay their own way home.

Edited April 25, 2008 by RusticCharm

[mrtoad]

Somehow i cant believe these girls were forced into prostitution, but if they're hear illegally breaking the law time to give them a few thousand pound to clear off.

'Give them a few thousand pound to clear off'?

You jest surely.

Why not treat them them same as the Thais treat westerners arrested in Thailand.

Lock them up until they can pay their own way home.

There is a big difference being locked up in Thailand, and being locked up in the UK. They may just like some of the creature comforts that are provided by HMP, especially if they are in one of the newer places. Anyway, the cost of detention is pretty high, so it is probably cheaper to just send them home and save the British taxpayer some money at least.