Bangkok: Immigration Bureau Division 1, Lumpini Police Station, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security raided a prostitution ring in central Bangkok, revoking the visas of 10 Vietnamese women who were soliciting customers on the streets, and ordering their immediate deportation.
According to Thai News Agency, under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasath Khemprasit, Commander of Immigration Division 1, along with Pol. Col. Keeratisak Kongkiat Siri, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 1, and Pol. Col. Pholsit Sutthi-arj, Superintendent of Investigation Division, Immigration Division 1, officers from the Southern Bangkok Task Force, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Taweesap Chaiyapoom and Pol. Lt. Col. Suriyo Chaiyod, Investigation Division Chiefs of Immigration Division 1, integrated their efforts with officers from Lumpini Police Station and the Department of Women and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, to conduct a crackdown on illegal immigrants and gather intelligence to prevent crimes related to the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and other relevant laws.
Following a coordinated search and crackdown in the Lumpini area, authorities apprehended 10 Vietnamese women while they were soliciting, introducing themselves, following, or harassing individuals on the streets and in public places for the purpose of prostitution. Such actions were not only a public nuisance to residents and tourists in the area. The Department of Women and Family Affairs fined each of the 10 women 1,000 baht under Section 5 of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act.
However, the legal measures did not end with just a fine. After the process was completed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Lumpini Police Station immediately sent a letter notifying the Immigration Bureau 1 of the incident. Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasath Khemaprasit, Commander of Immigration Bureau 1, considered that the behavior of this group of foreigners was a threat to society and contrary to public order, and therefore signed an approval to revoke the temporary permission to stay in the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, Section 12 (8) for all 10 Vietnamese women immediately. They were then taken into custody and sent to Division 3, Investigation Bureau, Immigration Bureau, to undergo the detention process and deportation, as well as being placed on the blacklist for future travel back to Thailand.