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Three members of a human-trafficking gang were arrested yesterday for luring 12 Laotian women into prostitution in Lop Buri, while a Burmese woman and her two male accomplices were arrested in Bangkok's Lat Phrao area for allegedly forcing at least seven women into prostitution in Prachin Buri.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai and Laos Ambassador Uone Phommachak presented Khanong Chiewcharn, 49, Anusit Lertlon, 26, and Thanawat Wattana, 21, to the press yesterday. The three men were subordinates of Pairoj Sukpitak, 47, a previously arrested human-trafficking suspect and patron of the Chanathip karaoke bar.
Khanong and Anusit were arrested in Lop Buri, while Thanawat was nabbed in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district.
The arrests stemmed from a police raid of the bar and the subsequent rescue of 12 Laotian girls - all under 18 - who were being detained at Holiday Inn Hotel in Muang Lop Buri. At press time, Pairoj and six subordinates were arrested, but the five women from Laos, who reportedly lured the girls and delivered them to Pairoj, are still at large.
Laos Ambassador Uone said this was just one of the many human-trafficking cases that both countries were jointly working to crack. Affirming that Laos had tough laws against human trafficking, he said a hunt was on for the remaining accomplices.
Thirty minutes later, Issara hosted another press conference to announce the arrest of a Burmese woman, identified as Duan, 23, and two Thai men called Warodom Kayankan, 27, and Thanawat Boonrong, 35. The three were arrested at an apartment in Lat Phrao. Police also rescued seven women aged between 16 and 20 who were being held against their wishes at the apartment. Of the seven women, one is a Laos national and two Burmese.
Also presented as evidence was Bt38,700 (S$1,680) in cash, five mobile phones, a Honda Jazz car, a fake Thai ID card under the name of Patcharee Pattanapreedakul that was used by Duan, 42 coupons for sexual services, three account books and receipts for services rendered.
The crackdown took place after police received a complaint from a 17-year-old victim, saying Duan and Thanawat had forced her into prostitution at the Spicy karaoke bar in Prachin Buri's Kabin Buri district. The three suspects reportedly told police that they had delivered the women to the karaoke bar, but claimed they did not own the bar and had not forced them to sell sexual services.
Human-trafficking gang cracked in Laos-Thai operation
Source: asiaonenews
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