UK men held in Thai sex abuse probe

A number of British men are thought to have been arrested in Thailand during a child sex abuse investigation, UK authorities said.

A series of arrests were made on Thursday in the tourist resort of Pattaya following a joint operation between the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and the Royal Thai Police.

CEOP said it was thought that a number of British nationals had been held as part of the swoop, but was currently unable to provide more details.

The centre's deputy head of operations, Andy Wells, said: "Working with the Royal Thai Police we have located and identified a number of individuals who are suspected of serious alleged offences against vulnerable children.

"Non-government organisations have been instrumental in helping to build an intelligence picture of the threat that travelling sex offenders pose to children from in the region."

Pattaya is a popular beach resort about an hour from Thai capital Bangkok.

The operation began when an online network was identified by CEOP internet investigators in the UK.

Links were established links with Thailand, prompting the initiation of a joint operation with the RTP, CEOP said.

CEOP boss Jim Gamble said: "This operation and these arrests demonstrate the value of the relationship between CEOP and the Royal Thai Police, a relationship which continues to develop."

Source: Ananova - 11 December 2008

If true...good work.

Also being broadcast on the BBC

First the amercians, then the canadians now the Brits! Watch out germans it's moving your way soon! LOL

What is up with these people, In Thailand there are adults both men and women who will be happy to cater for their needs with playacting. dressing up and for so little baht!

Though it is clearly good news that these perverts are being weeded out lets hope that this doesn't end up being blown out of proportion by the world press and put more pressure on the fragile tourist industry either discouraging 'good' tourists or worse encouraging the 'wrong' sort of tourist. Too many times the press report this with a small amount of fact and a large diatribe on the problems of Thailands sex industry.

The latest report in the UK on ITN states that 2 brits have been arrested which although it is 'a number' may make the original news look exagerated but, to be fair, seems to be a balanced report without the usual hyperbole - lets hope it stays this way.

Latest news (Times Online being one of them) is saying 2 brits, 1 german and and American have been arrested.

Covered here and as per Thai Visa policy

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