Bangkok: CIB police went to a karaoke shop in Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and arrested two pimps who were running a karaoke shop and secretly bringing girls into prostitution.

According to Thai News Agency, the arrests were made after police received complaints from local residents that a karaoke shop in Tambon Thong Nian, Amphoe Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province was secretly selling sexual services to girls under the age of 18. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) sent undercover officers to investigate the facts and discovered that such activities were indeed taking place. They devised a plan with relevant officers, pretending to purchase services from both shops, which led to the arrests of two pimps, Ms. Wanwisa, aged 37, and Ms. Rungnapa, aged 49. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 2,400 baht in sting money and a work logbook.

The two were charged with multiple offenses, including human trafficking by exploiting prostitution, procuring or enticing a person to commit indecent acts, and enticing someone for indecent acts to satisfy the lust of another person. Other charges include dishonestly receiving for sale a person over 15 but not over 18 years old, assisting or protecting the prostitution of another person, owning a prostitution business, and abducting a minor over 15 but not over 18 years old. They were also charged with encouraging, promoting, or consenting to a child behaving inappropriately or in a manner likely to lead to committing an offense.

In addition, the police rescued Ms. A, aged 15, and Ms. B, aged 17. Ms. A reported working at the shop for over a month, having accepted more than 70 jobs, and was paid 3,000 baht per job, of which she had to give half to the pimp. Ms. B reported working for about 15 days, having accepted more than 40 jobs, and was paid 2,500 baht per job, with half being given to the pimp.

The police subsequently sent the young victims to a shelter for further protection.