Police and members of the Chiang Rai Provincial administration raided a karaoke venue near Chiang Rai Airport, uncovering underage female employees aged 16-18 years, ecstasy and ketamine pills.
According to Police, the ecstasy pills were made in the shape of “La Boo Boo”, a popular art toy doll in Thailand.
Chiang Rai Provincial Police, Ban Du Police Station, Mueang Chiang Rai District and related agencies Inspected a karaoke shop located next to the entrance road to Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport.in Village No. 10, Ban Pang Lao, Ban Du Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai.
The raid came after an International Anti-Trafficking Organization reported that girls under 18 years of age were being procured to provide services to male customers.
The Anti-Trafficking Organization had sent in undercover operatives to survey the karaoke shop and found the management allowing customers to kiss, caress, and grope the underage girls.
The undercover operatives believed that there was human trafficking involved and reported the establishment to the Provincial Administration.
When authorities entered the karaoke shop, they discovered young girls entertaining old male customers in eight V.I.P. rooms. The girls entertaining in the rooms were 16 to 17 years old.
In the karaoke rooms, there was drug paraphernalia, ecstasy and ketamine pills. The young girls and the guests all admitted to using the drugs.
Police detained two males, Mr. Phonlawat, age 22, and Mr. Akkrawit, age 40. They were charged with Possession of narcotics of category 2 (ketamine) for use and use of narcotics of category 2 (ketamine), possession of narcotics of category 1 (ecstasy), and use of narcotics in Type 1 (ecstasy)
Upon questioning Mr. Thanathorn, the shop’s caretaker, age 50, it was found that the license only allowed the sale of liquor.
He was charged with setting up a service establishment without permission, hiring children under 18 years of age without notifying the labor inspector, inciting children to behave inappropriately, and selling alcohol beyond the time limit specified by law.
The accused were then handed over to the Ban Du Police Station to be formally charged.
Police said they will coordinate with a multidisciplinary team to determine whether all young women are victims of human trafficking or not.
Source: Ch7
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Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
