Bangkok—
On March 30th, 2024, the Thai Anti Trafficking In Persons Division (ATPD) captured 15 illegal male Myanmar workers and a Thai massage owner at the Lat Phrao shopping center in Wang Thonglang, Bangkok.
According to an ATPD report, an anonymous source reported that a massage shop secretly provided prostitution for customers. The ATPD launched an inspection and found the massage owner who was publicly identified only as Mr. Sanit and 15 male Myanmar nationals.
Upon ATPD investigation, the male Myanmar workers allegedly provided massage services and secret prostitution services to male customers. They would reportedly rotate their locations to other massage shops in Bangkok depending on the demand and to avoid police arrest.
Initially, the 15 Myanmar workers were found to have stayed in Thailand without valid legal permission before being escorted to Police Department Division 1 for further legal processing. The massage shop owner was facing charges of illegal hiring of immigrant workers without valid permission.
