What next for Bangkok's soapy massage parlours? Raid on Nataree to lead to bigger crackdown?

[webfact]

What next for Bangkok's soapy massage parlours? Raid on Nataree to lead to small fry or the bigger fish?

Image: Manager Online

BANGKOK: -- Monday's raid on the well known Nataree massage parlour in Rachadapisek, Bangkok, could mark a turning point in the industry.

One of the largest of blind eyes has been cast on the "Ap Ob Nuat" or body to body massage industry reported Manager Online.

The closure of the Nataree that operates openly for locals and tourists alike and is owned by a well known public figure will be watched with interest.

The "small fry" whose names appear in handwritten payment lists published in the Thai press will be sought, say police. Prosecutions may follow.

But much larger fish are behind the scenes. The owner of Nataree is known by his initial only as "Mr K" (Nay K - the first letter of the Thai alphabet). He is more commonly referred to as "Sia L" (the word Sia is used for big business owners and wealthy large scale merchants in particular).

Sia L. has been in the sex trade business since the days of the infamous Bangkok Tea Houses many of which offered very cheap sex mostly catering to the Thai market. These were very prevalent in Chinatown in particular in the 1980s. When this business started to die out Sia L. moved increasingly into the body massage business.

A large number of these businesses still operate openly just metres from Nataree as well as in other areas of Bangkok. One or two have closed in recent years but many stay open.

Nataree has previously had conflicts over proximity to educational establishments after legislation was introduced. Sia L is also reputed to have been involved in the purchase of an apartment block in Chok Chai 4, Lat Prao for use as a massage parlour and casino but which foundered due to conflicts with other leading figures.

Sia L reputedly owns other massage places in Bangkok, however.

The raid at Nataree comes after complaints from the NVADER group that has offices in New Zealand and SE Asia. It's stated aim is to "set people free" from sex trafficking. It is a charitable trust and non governmental organization with a loosely Christian base. It includes ex NZ policemen.

Following the raid it has emerged that Nataree was employing several underage sex workers as well as foreigners. Ledgers detailing payments to third parties were seized.

These could lead to the seizure of assets of those involved.

But as the government seeks to address criticism of their record in human trafficking issues the real question is how high will the investigation go.

Following up on complaints from an international NGO may be just the start of a wider operation though skeptics will say that Nataree will be open again shortly with business as usual.

Source: Manager Online

-- 2016-06-08

[JAG]

I think the key phrase in this article is " conflicts with other leading figures".

[ezzra]

Not to worry, all will be well again once the relevant parties will reach amicable arrangements,

places like this one don't get raided for nothing, a message or a warning was a foot here...

[halloween]

Can anyone explain the document on the left? Some dates are repeated, others missed, and the (money?) figures range from 5,000 to 76,000.

[Bender]

so what about silom, soi nana, soi cowboy, pattaya, and others thousands place selling sex? Or are they just after Mr K.?

[Bender]

Can anyone explain the document on the left? Some dates are repeated, others missed, and the (money?) figures range from 5,000 to 76,000.

maybe some girls did had between 5,000 to 76,000 customers ....

Edited June 8, 2016 by Bender

[tomacht8]

Can anyone explain the document on the left? Some dates are repeated, others missed, and the (money?) figures range from 5,000 to 76,000.

maybe some girls might have between 5,000 to 76,000 customers ....

No these are the expenditures of the police for their operation.

The research work on site, then will be paid by taxpayers.

[thaiguzzi]

Is Sia L/Mr K's political persuasion possibly a certain colour not being yellow and beginning with R?

[PomRakBKK]

None of these girls are trafficked. Its an urban legend. 1 out of 99 might not be there on her own will but the rest is just part of thai culture.

Ever wonder what the girls do after they finish work? They go across the street and pay some 'handsome' thai studs to screw their brains out. Rinse and repeat.

No different in so called 'gentlemen clubs' where the income is quite similar.

[PomRakBKK]

Is Sia L/Mr K's political persuasion possibly a certain colour not being yellow and beginning with R?

Everyone who reads the news or followed the coup a tiny bit will know him. I highly doubt his full name will show up here.

Edited June 8, 2016 by PomRakBKK

[thaibeachlovers]

that has offices in New Zealand and SE Asia. It's stated aim is to "set people free" from sex trafficking.

Why does that not surprise me!

NZ has HUGE problems with gangs, domestic violence and a simmering racial discontent. The police have a meagre 10% clearance rate on burgularies.

Yet these people feel the need to stick their beaks into the soapy massage trade in another country instead of sorting out the problems in their own country .

[thai3]

Is Sia L/Mr K's political persuasion possibly a certain colour not being yellow and beginning with R?

Everyone who reads the news or followed the coup a tiny bit will know him. I highly doubt his full name will show up here.

so it's a vendetta against one man under the pretense of a moral crusade instigated by kiki's then

[lovelomsak]

Can anyone explain the document on the left? Some dates are repeated, others missed, and the (money?) figures range from 5,000 to 76,000.

Tea money records of payment.

[ratcatcher]

so what about silom, soi nana, soi cowboy, pattaya, and others thousands place selling sex? Or are they just after Mr K.?

Pat Pong(Silom0, Nana Plaza area, Soi Cowboy and most of Pattaya are the equivalent of local market and street markets .

The Ratchadapisek soapy emporiums are much classier and far more expensive. One only has to Google Bangkok Soapy Massage to understand the difference.

They serve a purpose of keeping the wealthy Thai, other Asian and farang punters squeaky clean. Taking a bath as an English idiom has a different meaning.

[The stuttering parrot]

I like the one with the black hair.

She's cute!

[eddie61]

All good: they were monopolistic and expensive.

Spread the employees around fairly.

They will turn up in your part of the world before long, and return happiness to the people.

The GPM is true to his word.

[sahibji]

well done the authorities for making a serious effort to control this trade.the task is uphill, though, as the industry is deeply entrenched at all levels of society.

[asean]

unless a girl explicitly offers sex for money then i cannot see how any charges can stick. and even then it is only a charge against the girl. of course cash payments to constabulary might be a problem.

[crazykopite]

Where will the wealthy eletist Thais go when there wives are out shopping ! That's them in a stew for a quick leg over or a soapy !

[brewsterbudgen]

so what about silom, soi nana, soi cowboy, pattaya, and others thousands place selling sex? Or are they just after Mr K.?

There are regular raids of bars and gogos in all the areas you mention. If they find foreign or underage workers fines and closure orders are issued. One gogo on the 3rd floor of Nana Plaza has been closed for months.

What is newsworthy is raiding a Thai owned soapie that while having some foreign customers, is primarily used by rich Thais.

[thaibeachlovers]

well done the authorities for making a serious effort to control this trade.the task is uphill, though, as the industry is deeply entrenched at all levels of society.

a serious effort

LOL.

[phycokiller]

that has offices in New Zealand and SE Asia. It's stated aim is to "set people free" from sex trafficking.

Why does that not surprise me!

NZ has HUGE problems with gangs, domestic violence and a simmering racial discontent. The police have a meagre 10% clearance rate on burgularies.

Yet these people feel the need to stick their beaks into the soapy massage trade in another country instead of sorting out the problems in their own country .

yeah, but they arent going to get free trips to Thai brothels if they try and fix the problems at home are they?

[tukkytuktuk]

[Sakeopete]

It's the same old game time for the men in green to get their cut of the pie.

[tukkytuktuk]

[N2it]

Only 999,999 to go. I wouldn't be to concerned about the shut down of one soapy massage parlor if I were T.V.

[exalll]

I like the one with the black hair.

She's cute!

You've got to be more specific. Do you mean the one with black hair and a short skirt? If so, I agree.

[thaibeachlovers]

I guess a few Thai families are going to find out that their daughters weren't working as a hotel receptionist after all .

[soalbundy]

The first letter of the Thai alphabet is G gor gai but for some unknown reason Thai sign posts translate the G into a K, even in this article where they should know better

[Dogmatix]

There are hundreds of massage parlours, cafes, bars etc employing foreign girls and some under age girls in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand and the police know all about them as they collect bribes from them all not to bother them re under age and foreign girls. There are some nasty establishments where the girls are really trafficked and not free to leave but these are low budget back street places. The big soapies on Ratchadapisek attract a well heeled clientele who want girls with a contented attitude. The girls make good money in these places and are unlikely to be trafficked sex slaves. The under age element is abhorrent, however, and should be dealt with, even if the under age girls are there of their own free will.

The junta has made clear that police reform is not on the agenda. Thus it is business as usual for corrupt cops and these businesses are essential to the income and happiness of senior police, not to mention well off Thais in general. Therefore it is not possible that this signals a serious crack down. Why cut off your nose to spite your face? It is much likely to be the result of a turf war between mafiosi supported by different police and army factions on the take.