Pathum Thani Police Arrest Woman for Human Trafficking
Pathum Thani police, operating under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), have arrested a 27-year-old woman accused of running an unlicensed karaoke lounge that exploited underage and foreign workers in a human trafficking case.
The raid was carried out by the CIB’s Human Trafficking Suppression Division, following directives from Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, to crack down on businesses violating narcotics laws, child protection statutes, and labour regulations.
Officers found the lounge operating as a “drink and sing” venue, where young female staff were dressed provocatively and provided close company to customers. During inspections, authorities identified two staff members under 18 years old, as well as several foreign employees.
The suspect, Juthawan [surname withheld], reportedly admitted to opening the karaoke lounge several years ago. Investigators said she recruited underage girls through Facebook job postings in June 2025, assigning them to serve customers in VIP rooms. Witnesses indicated that the girls were instructed to avoid front-of-house duties and hide during police inspections to evade detection.
Juthawan faces multiple charges, including:
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Human trafficking for sexual exploitation of minors aged 15–17;
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Operating an unlicensed business;
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Employing underage staff between 22:00 and 06:00 without permission;
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Employing minors in a commercial service venue;
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Encouraging or allowing minors to engage in inappropriate or sexually exploitative behaviour for financial gain;
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Procuring minors aged 15–17 for sexual purposes, even if they consented.
Authorities have taken the suspect into custody at Division 2 of the Human Trafficking Suppression Bureau for prosecution. Juthawan has denied all allegations, claiming she was unaware of her staff’s ages.
The CIB has urged the public to report any information or concerns regarding human trafficking or exploitation to their hotline at 1191 or via the bureau’s official Facebook page.