Public hospital director in Thailand caught in underage sex scandal

The director of a public hospital in Leoi province in northeast Thailand and two accomplices were arrested yesterday by Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) officers for buying sex from underage girls.

Three men were apprehended by ATPD officers in the Kudpong area of Mueang district. The suspects are Phasakorn Surachaipanya, a 54 year old director of a public hospital in Loei; Pichai Sertsri, a 34 year old municipal worker; and Santi Srikammee, a 34 year old air conditioning repairman.

These men were wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court, with charges of buying sex from girls aged under 18 years old and encouraging them into lewd activities. Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarut Khwaengsopha, the commander of the ATPD, has confirmed the offences and the arrests made.

The arrests follow the detainment of a married couple for procuring underage girls into prostitution within the northeastern province earlier this year. The couple, known only as Sakchai and his wife Manthana, reportedly charged their customers between 2,000 and 10,000 baht per sex service, while the exploited children received only 1,000 baht each in return.

During the interrogations, the three arrested men confessed to purchasing sex services from the underage girls who fell under the control of the aforementioned couple. Further investigations and legal action are now underway, with the suspects being held at the ATPD sub-division 3 before facing the next steps of the legal process.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the purchasing of illegal sex services in Thailand. The arrest of these three men has undoubtedly caused significant concern among the public, especially considering that one of the suspects holds a prominent leadership position in a public hospital.

It is crucial for the authorities to continue reinforcing efforts to combat child exploitation and put an end to the purchasing of illegal sex services. Increased vigilance is necessary to identify and apprehend individuals involved in these disturbing activities.

Furthermore, public awareness campaigns may be useful in educating the general population about the negative consequences of purchasing sex services and the need to protect the most vulnerable members of society. By working together, the hope is that these incidents will become increasingly rare and that those responsible will face severe consequences for their actions.