Phuket police take stand against sex slaves

Phuket Gazette

The warning against human trafficking and sex slavery in Phuket follows DSI officers rescuing 41 young women in a raid in Sungai Kolok, on the Malaysian border, last week. Photo: DSI

PHUKET: Police have warned nightclub, karaoke venue and message parlor operators in Phuket’s party town of Patong that human trafficking and luring young women into forced prostitution will not be tolerated.

The warning came at a meeting in Patong on Wednesday, following by Department of Special Investigations (DSI) officers rescuing 41 young women from a sex trafficking ring in a raid in Sungai Kolok, on the Malaysian border, on December 14.

“As a result 41 Laos females were rescued. Most of them were under 18 years old and were deceived into forced prostitution,” said Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Pratya Chansomwong.

“We fear similar operations are occurring here. If one or two Phuket business owners see this going on in other places, they might be encouraged to try it here. So we met with representatives from businesses that might be of interest in human trafficking. These places include nightclubs, karaoke venues and massage parlors,” he said.

Lt Col Pratya explained to the nightlife venue operators the potential consequences of being caught being involved in the lurid trade.

“I warned them that human trafficking is not going to happen in Patong. Anybody that we find involved faces a four to 10-year prison sentence,” Lt Col Pratya told the Phuket Gazette.

“Also preparing and running places for prostitution will not be tolerated. Should an employee wish to have a sexual relationship with a tourist then they should find a hotel, not at work. There must be no trafficking of people in Patong,” he added.

At the meeting, the Deputy Superintendent also raised the issue of detection and prevention of drug misuse.

“As a part of the White Patong project testing 10,000 individuals for drug abuse, Patong police are routinely entering private businesses, night clubs and hotels to carry out urine tests. In the past six months we tested 6,000 people for drugs. So far only five per cent of those tests proved positive. Those who tested positive were Thai employees, not tourists. Most tourists only drink alcohol,’ Lt Col Pratya added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle11794.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-12-23

So this is an announced policy change?

no its just a place that refused free service to the police force

“I warned them that human trafficking is not going to happen in Patong. Anybody that we find involved faces a four to 10-year prison sentence,” Lt Col Pratya told the Phuket Gazette.

What ever happened with the case of the ex Thai police trying to smuggle Burmese workers in a refrigerator truck to Phuket and they all suffocated in the back of the truck? I guess they weren't sex workers...

Yes, that's it - concentrate on Patong and don't bother with what's right on your doorstep in Phuket Town. Wouldn't want to stop your mates having fun after work.