CHANTHABURI: A brothel in Khlung district that was found to be employing girls under the age of 18 has been shut down following a raid early yesterday, according to the police.
The raid followed tip-offs from local informants about a brothel on a highway in tambon Sueng, which said that it was providing sexual services involving minors.
A woman identified only as Amitada, 56, was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including human trafficking for prostitution, said Pol Maj Gen Wittaya Sriserthipap, commander of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD).
The raid was carried out by officers from the AHTD, Khlung district police, and officials from the provincial Social Development and Human Security Office.
Officers seized several pieces of evidence, including used condoms, marked banknotes used in the sting operation, a mobile phone, and a QR code payment slip linked to the suspect.
Investigators began monitoring the brothel after receiving reports that the brothel's owner was offering underage girls to clients.
Before the raid took place, undercover police agents contacted the brothel to engage the services of a 16-year-old girl. The brothel agreed and asked the agents to pay 3,500 baht. The girl was told to transfer a 300-baht commission to the brothel's account, registered under Ms Amitada's name, before she was told to go to a nearby hotel.
Once the payment was verified, officers raided the premises and found several girls aged 16 to 17 working as "drinking companions". Over half of the staff were reportedly minors.
Police rescued the girls, who were sent to a centre for victims of human trafficking.
