human trafficking

  • Thailand NewsForeign affair: Embassies huddle with RTP over trafficking drama

    Foreign affair: Embassies huddle with RTP over trafficking drama

    In a bid to untangle a complex web of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, Bangkok embassies have been summoned to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters for a crucial meeting. The agenda: sorting out who among the over 260 foreigners recently rescued from neighbouring countries are genuine victims and who might be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Under the spotlight are…

  • Thailand NewsKaraoke crackdown: Police hit the wrong note with trafficking bust

    Karaoke crackdown: Police hit the wrong note with trafficking bust

    Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped on a notorious karaoke bar in Kamphaeng Phet province, exposing a tangled web of human trafficking allegations involving minors and LGBTQ youths under 18. The high-profile undercover operation, today, February 14, was designed to rescue the victims and gather crucial evidence against the accused. Led by the Department of Provincial Administration’s special operations team, the…

  • Thailand NewsTak immigration chief reassigned amid trafficking concerns

    Tak immigration chief reassigned amid trafficking concerns

    The Immigration Bureau has transferred the superintendent of Tak Immigration to a different post following reports of foreign nationals disappearing after being deceived into entering Thailand. The incident is suspected to be linked to human trafficking activities in Tak province. Police Major General Prashaya Prasansuk, the Acting Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, signed an order (No. 24/2025, dated February 12)…

  • Thailand NewsThailand launches global task force to combat human trafficking

    Thailand launches global task force to combat human trafficking

    Thailand is stepping up its fight against human trafficking and scam call centres by establishing an international coordination centre to rescue victims trapped in Myanmar, Police Inspector-General Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot announced. Speaking from Tak province yesterday, February 10, Thatchai confirmed that the centre will work with international law enforcement to track down and free people, regardless of nationality, who…

  • Thailand NewsBorderline mystery: Chinese model’s vanishing act stuns nation

    Borderline mystery: Chinese model’s vanishing act stuns nation

    The mysterious disappearance of Chinese model Yang Zeqi near the Thai-Myanmar border has sent shockwaves throughout his home country of China and prompted his father to make a desperate plea to the Government of Thailand for help in locating his son. Accompanied by lawyer Ratchaphon Sirisakhon, Yang’s father approached Police General Kittharath Punpetch, beseeching him to assist in the search…

  • Thailand NewsChinese national’s ‘border-line’ escape foils trafficking plot

    Chinese national’s ‘border-line’ escape foils trafficking plot

    Police in Sa Kaeo province today apprehended a Chinese national in a daring border sting. He claimed he was escaping being trafficked to Cambodia Ji Hongli was picked up today, January 16, in an operation led by Police Colonel Naphatphong Supaporn, Superintendent of the Immigration Bureau, alongside Pol. Col. Anothai Chindamani of Khlong Luek Police Station and Col. Methee Khamtem…

  • Thailand NewsHong Kong sends task force to rescue citizens trapped in Thailand

    Hong Kong sends task force to rescue citizens trapped in Thailand

    In response to reports of Hong Kong residents being lured to Southeast Asia and forced into illegal work, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that the Security Bureau has dispatched a task force to Thailand. The move comes as law enforcement agencies reveal that 28 residents have been trapped abroad since mid-2024, with only 16 successfully returned so…

  • Bangkok NewsChinese couple beg for help in Bangkok amid son’s trafficking fears

    Chinese couple beg for help in Bangkok amid son’s trafficking fears

    A distraught Chinese couple has made a desperate plea outside the Chinese embassy in Bangkok, seeking help to find their missing son, suspected to be a victim of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. The couple, 64 year old Sun Maoxing and his wife 60 year old Wang Weiju, travelled from China’s Shandong province to Thailand on their first-ever trip abroad,…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok arrests three African nationals in human trafficking crackdown

    Bangkok arrests three African nationals in human trafficking crackdown

    Three individuals from Africa have been apprehended in connection with a notorious human trafficking ring in Bangkok. The gang, known as madam, is accused of luring women from Africa into prostitution in Thailand’s capital city. Police from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) initiated the crackdown with the arrest of a Malian man, identified only as Baba, in Nong Khai…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket cracks down on human trafficking in fisheries

    Phuket cracks down on human trafficking in fisheries

    Phuket officials are doubling down on the fight against human trafficking in the island’s bustling marine fisheries sector. At a meeting held yesterday, November 27, leaders stressed the urgency of safeguarding workers from exploitation and aligning with global anti-trafficking standards. The high-level talks, chaired by Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri, gathered agency heavyweights at the Provincial Welfare and Labour Protection Office.…

  • Thailand NewsThailand introduces new laws to protect migrant workers’ rights

    Thailand introduces new laws to protect migrant workers’ rights

    In a bold crackdown on labour trafficking, the Thai Interior Ministry is rolling out sweeping new regulations to bolster protections for migrant workers and their families. With Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s stamp of approval, the long-awaited measures are set to debut in the Royal Gazette any day now, targeting workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Interior Ministry spokesperson Traisuree…

  • Crime NewsSeven arrested in Yasothon for luring boys into obscene videos

    Seven arrested in Yasothon for luring boys into obscene videos

    Seven transgender women have been apprehended in Yasothon for their alleged involvement in a scheme to lure boys into participating in obscene video recordings, subsequently selling the content to a private group. This crackdown stems from a police raid on eight locations across the northeastern province, following a tip-off about the group’s illicit activities. Police Colonel Sarawut Chantawong, leading the…

  • Thailand NewsLost Chinese tourists veer off course, end up at Myanmar border

    Lost Chinese tourists veer off course, end up at Myanmar border

    In a bizarre turn of events, five Chinese tourists were intercepted by Thai immigration officers in Tak after they were mistakenly driven to the Thai-Myanmar border instead of their intended destination of Pattaya. The startling incident unfolded yesterday, November 12, at the Mae Sot checkpoint, located on the Mae Sot-Tak road, when Thai immigration officers stopped the tourists’ vehicle and…

  • Thailand NewsCall for Thai government to aid 110 trafficked victims in Myanmar

    Call for Thai government to aid 110 trafficked victims in Myanmar

    A call for government intervention has risen, urging the officials to assist 110 victims of human trafficking who were deceived and transported through Thailand to engage in illegal work in Myanmar. The Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, highlighting the plight of the victims. These individuals, hailing from nine countries,…

  • Thailand NewsHuman trafficking in Chumphon leads to three Burmese deaths

    Human trafficking in Chumphon leads to three Burmese deaths

    Police in Lang Suan district, Chumphon province, responded to a distress call from monks at Wat Sek Tharam at 11.30am on October 17, leading them to a tragic scene involving Burmese migrants. Found in a forest approximately 2 kilometres from Phetkasem Road, 12 Burmese migrants were discovered in dire conditions, covered in dirt and visibly weakened. Two men, aged between…

  • Pattaya NewsUzbek woman arrested in Pattaya for human trafficking

    Uzbek woman arrested in Pattaya for human trafficking

    Police in Pattaya apprehended a 34 year old woman from Uzbekistan following an Interpol red notice issued for her involvement in human trafficking. The Uzbek woman, Gumi, is accused of luring young women into prostitution in Uzbekistan, according to Police Colonel Naphasapong Khositsuriyamanee, chief of the Chon Buri Immigration Bureau. Gumi fled to Thailand after Uzbek authorities detained several members of…

  • Thailand NewsSketchy business: Cops arrest last suspect in decade-old human trafficking case

    Sketchy business: Cops arrest last suspect in decade-old human trafficking case

    Police officers from the Anti Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) triumphantly captured the last suspect in a gruesome decade-old human trafficking case, ending an exhaustive month-long chase. Their breakthrough? A single clue: a sketch of an unidentified woman, said Police Major General Sarut Kwaengsopha, the ATPD commander after the suspect was arrested in Samut…

  • Crime NewsWoman arrested after decade-long human trafficking chase

    Woman arrested after decade-long human trafficking chase

    Police apprehended a 62 year old woman involved in human trafficking linked to forced labour on fishing trawlers after she evaded capture for over a decade. Sompong Sroithong was taken into custody when officers intercepted her pickup truck in the Mueang district of Samut Prakan yesterday, September 17, according to Police Major General Sarut Kwaengsopha, commander of the police Anti-Trafficking…

  • Thailand NewsSuphan Buri police arrest two for trafficking 12 year old girl

    Suphan Buri police arrest two for trafficking 12 year old girl

    Police in Suphan Buri apprehended a woman and a local official on charges related to the trafficking and sexual exploitation of a 12 year old girl. The child, now under the care of social services, was allegedly prostituted by her own aunt. Local law enforcement, led by Police Major General Watcharin Prasobdee, apprehended the suspects yesterday, September 13, following an…

  • Thailand NewsKaraoke bar owners jailed for exploiting minors in Sisaket

    Karaoke bar owners jailed for exploiting minors in Sisaket

    The Criminal Court of Thailand sentenced two karaoke bar owners to 11 years and 14 months in prison for sexually exploiting minors. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) received a tip-off from the non-profit organisation Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), which supports law enforcement in rescuing children from human trafficking and exploitation. The information revealed the presence of an X (Twitter)…

  • Thailand NewsBerry bad: Ex-boss faces 5 years for human trafficking scandal

    Berry bad: Ex-boss faces 5 years for human trafficking scandal

    Finnish prosecutors are gunning for a hefty five-year prison sentence for the former head of a berry company and his Thai business partner over shocking human trafficking charges. The Lapland District Court kicked off the trial yesterday, August 13, with the duo facing a staggering 77 counts of aggravated human trafficking. Jukka Kristo, the ex-CEO of Polarica, and his Thai…

  • Crime NewsPolice raid karaoke bar, find underage workers and drugs

    Police raid karaoke bar, find underage workers and drugs

    Police raided a prominent karaoke bar and discovered underage workers, illegal drugs, and evidence of human trafficking. They arrested the manager and began legal proceedings following the troubling findings. In the early hours of yesterday, July 24, Puttipong Sirimat, the Governor of Chiang Rai, led a team of officials in a raid on a karaoke bar in Ban Du, Mueang…

  • Crime NewsTeenager arrested in Bangkok sting for child prostitution

    Teenager arrested in Bangkok sting for child prostitution

    Police officers conducted a sting operation leading to the arrest of a 17 year old suspect involved in child prostitution at an apartment in Bangkok. The operation resulted in the confiscation of 5,000 baht in cash and the rescue of a minor. On July 16, police officers from Patrol Division 2, led by Warawit Yanchinda, Vasun Thawatchaiwirut, and Natdanai Bamrungsri,…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok police arrest Thai woman for trafficking underage girls

    Bangkok police arrest Thai woman for trafficking underage girls

    Police apprehended a 22 year old Thai woman for trafficking underage girls for prostitution at a well-known hotel in Bangkok. A 14 year old girl was among the victims and police are providing immediate assistance. Officers from the Bang Rak Police Station, led by Thammasak Saraboon and Tharet Wongwaranurak, arrested a Thai woman named Luksana (surname withheld) at a hotel…

  • Thailand NewsThai police arrest key members of human trafficking ring

    Thai police arrest key members of human trafficking ring

    Thai police arrested key members of a human trafficking ring that lured Thai citizens into working in call centres under false pretences, promising high salaries but instead subjecting them to forced labour and confinement. Police Major General Saruti Kwangsopa, Chief of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD), directed a team led by Police Colonel Pattanapong Sripinpraw and Police Lieutenant Colonel Worapol…

  • Thailand NewsPM urged to rescue Moroccans trapped by human trafficking gang

    PM urged to rescue Moroccans trapped by human trafficking gang

    An anti-human trafficking organisation urgently called upon Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to assist 21 Moroccan citizens trapped by a scammer gang on the Thai-Myanmar border. This plea comes after months of inaction from various agencies. A prominent anti-trafficking group, Exodus Road, revealed the Moroccan Embassy in Bangkok had reached out for help on behalf of the victims. The embassy contacted…

  • Thailand NewsThailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking

    Thailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking

    Thailand remains in Tier 2 on the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, indicating a determined effort to combat human trafficking. The US authority remarked that although Thailand has not met the minimum standards for eradicating trafficking, the government is making significant strides. “The [Thai] government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period. These…

  • Thailand NewsUdon Thani karaoke bar raided for underage human trafficking

    Udon Thani karaoke bar raided for underage human trafficking

    Police in Udon Thani raided a popular karaoke bar yesterday, uncovering a human trafficking operation involving underage girls. The raid, which took place at 10pm, on June 20, revealed a ledger containing customer names and a significant number of unused condoms. Governor Wanchai Kongkasem directed the operation, coordinating with Vimol Surasen, the district chief, along with police officers from Udon…

  • Thailand NewsKaraoke bar owner nabbed for trafficking girls in Thailand

    Karaoke bar owner nabbed for trafficking girls in Thailand

    Authorities have arrested a karaoke bar owner for allegedly trafficking underage girls from Thailand and Laos, some under 15 years old, into sex work. Today the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) conducted a raid, led by Police Major General Sarawut Jantawong and his team, apprehending 63 year old Rombai at her establishment in Pakkad District, Bueng Kan Province. The operation was…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman escapes human trafficking ordeal in Cambodia

    Thai woman escapes human trafficking ordeal in Cambodia

    A harrowing account of survival has emerged from a 37 year old Thai woman who fell victim to a human trafficking scheme that led her into the clutches of a call centre scam gang in Poipet, Cambodia. Pai (pseudonym)’s ordeal began when an acquaintance lured her with the promise of a job that purportedly involved contacting Thais to assist with…