Photo by Wasayos Ngamkam
Police will step up investigations into suspected human trafficking rings following the rescue of a 21-year-old Thai woman who was tricked into traveling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for work and then forced into sex trafficking.
Kosolwat Intutchanon, director-general of the Human Rights Protection, Legal Aid and Enforcement Department, said the young woman from Lampang arrived at U-Tapao Airport in Rayong yesterday. When she returns home, officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will interview her to determine whether she was indeed a victim of trafficking.
The woman recounted that she had applied to an overseas job advert she had found on social media: She was interested in working as a traditional massage therapist abroad and agreed to go to the UAE due to the promise of high pay, but with the explicit condition that she would not provide any sexual services.
However, upon arrival, the massage parlour owner confiscated her passport and tried to force her into having sex with a customer – she refused and sought help, which eventually attracted media attention.
Kosolwat said if she is confirmed to be a victim of trafficking, authorities will request police intervention to investigate those behind the trafficking ring.
Her case came to light after her grandmother pleaded with government agencies to rescue her, the Bangkok Post reported.
“After receiving the complaint, the prosecutor worked with the Consular Bureau to provide the necessary assistance,” Kosolwat added.
In related news, police in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok, have arrested a woman for allegedly deceiving another woman into working as a prostitute in the United Arab Emirates. She is one of six suspects in the case. The alleged victim told authorities she was lured to work as a masseuse at a spa in Dubai. The lure, known as “Ms Lily,” promised her a monthly salary of 40,000 baht. After flying to Dubai in September, Ms Lily confiscated her passport and ordered her to provide sexual services to clients.
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