On Wednesday, Police from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division arrested two men from the North for allegedly luring Thai women into forced prostitution in Brunei.
ATPD commander Pol Maj Gen Siam Boonsom said Rachen Sooksorn 49, was arrested in tambon Wiang Nuea of Wiang Chai district in Chiang Rai and Somchai Sukson, 55, was apprehended in tambon Klang Wiang of Wiang Sa district in Nan province.
Police charged them with trafficking women into forced prostitution. Their arrest followed complaints from two Thai women who fled to the Thai embassy in Brunei on 31st March, 2019.
The women told police that Mr Sooksorn’s group had offered them work as masseuses in Brunei with a monthly return of 100,000-200,000 baht, saying they would have free meals and accommodation and would not have to pay for their job placement.
The women said they had been forced into prostitution upon arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan. They had not received anything in return and their passports and money had been seized.
Last year two Thai women were arrested in connection with the case.
Pannipa Sukson was arrested and detained in Brunei and Kwannapa Yenjai was held at Klong Prem Central Prison.
Mr Sooksorn and Mr Sukson denied the charges and were being held in police custody.