PHUKET, THAILAND – Tourist police in Patong detained nine foreign women on Bangla Road during a night-time raid over suspected violations of Thailand’s prostitution law, as part of a nationwide crackdown on serious crime.
Coordinated 3 a.m. raid on Bangla Road
The Phuket Tourist Police carried out a coordinated operation on Bangla Road in Patong at 3 a.m. on 13 February 2026. The raid focused on foreign women suspected of engaging in prostitution in the popular nightlife area.
Officers reported that nine foreign women were taken into custody during the checks. According to police, the women had behaved in a way that may have constituted violations of Thai law.
Part of nationwide serious crime campaign
The Patong raid formed part of a nationwide campaign running from 9 to 15 February against ten categories of serious crime. Authorities stated that the weekly focus was on morality and prostitution-related offences.
During this period, law enforcement increased inspections in well-known entertainment districts across the country. The campaign was led by security agencies aiming to tighten controls in areas associated with nightlife.
Complaints from tourists and local residents
According to officials, the police action followed a series of complaints. Tourists and local residents had reported foreign women working along Bangla Road.
The complaints alleged that the women were openly approaching potential customers in the busy nightlife zone. The Tourist Police responded to these reports with the night-time inspection.
Suspected breaches of 1996 prostitution law
During the inspection, officers found that the nine women were acting in a manner that may violate Thailand’s 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act. This law governs how prostitution is handled in Thailand.
The detained women were initially placed in custody, and their conduct will be reviewed under the provisions of the 1996 legislation. The final legal assessment will be made in subsequent proceedings by the competent judicial authorities.
Two women accused of overstaying visas
For two of the nine women, officers found additional alleged violations of immigration rules. The pair were accused of overstaying their visas and therefore remaining in the country illegally.
These immigration offences will be examined separately from the prostitution allegations. The immigration authority will review the residence status of the two women.
Cases handed to Patong police station
All nine detained women were taken to Patong Police Station for further processing. There, officers were expected to initiate the next legal steps.
The immigration authority will examine the status of the two women with expired visas once the procedures related to the prostitution allegations have been addressed. The Tourist Police informed the relevant agencies about the incident.
Ongoing legal review under Thai prostitution law
The Thai Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act of 1996 provided the legal basis for the arrests. Officers are assessing whether the women’s behaviour met the elements of offences defined in that law.
The final determination of any offences will rest with the responsible judicial authorities. The case has also raised questions locally about how to balance public order with the nightlife economy in Patong.