Gov Niran vows to stamp out “underage prostitution’

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has ordered Kathu Police Superintendent Col Grissak Songmoonnak, Kathu District Chief Khantee Silapa and Patong Municipality officials to work together to immediately put a stop to underage girls working as prostitutes on the island.

The order follows recent sweeps of nightlife entertainment venues in Phuket as part of a crackdown ordered by Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung. The raids turned up girls younger than 15 working as prostitutes at karaoke bars in Phuket City and Patong.

Governor Niran confirmed that “underage prostitutes” were discovered in Patong in late February. “During the crackdown on entertainment venues staying open after the 2 am closing time, police found a number of Thai females younger than 15 working as prostitutes,” he said.

Gov Niran did not reveal the names and locations of the bars or how many child prostitutes they employed.

Police reported that some of the girls had been brought to Phuket to work as prostitutes, making the issue one of human trafficking, said Gov Niran.

Last week, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Piya Bharatasilpin said that one establishment on Phun Pol Rd Soi 11 in Phuket City had been closed after a girl younger than 15 was found working there.