The Department of Special Investigation raided two karaoke bars, Nam Cha and Ting Lee, in tambon Tha Toom, Si Maha Phot district of Prachin Buri. Authorities rescued more than 20 girls from Laos aged 13-17 who were forced into prostitution. They arrested staff on charges of human trafficking.  The Pavena Foundation for Children and Women helped police with the raid. Photos by Apichit Jinakul.

PHOTOS

28 APR 2011

Rescued Laos Girls

The Department of Special Investigation raided two karaoke bars, Nam Cha and Ting Lee, in tambon Tha Toom, Si Maha Phot district of Prachin Buri. Authorities rescued more than 20 girls from Laos aged 13-17 who were forced into prostitution. They arrested staff on charges of human trafficking.  The Pavena Foundation for Children and Women helped police with the raid. Photos by Apichit Jinakul.

 
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Rescued Laos Girls
An entrance to the Ting Lee karaoke bar which authorities said harboured girls who were forced to sell themselves.
Rescued Laos Girls
An armed DSI officer goes into the Nam Cha bar to rescue girls who were forced to provide sexual services to customers.
Rescued Laos Girls
DSI officers detain workers and the manager of the Nam Cha bar for questioning.
Rescued Laos Girls
The girls were taken to Ban Kred Trakan Home supervised by the Social Development and Social Security Ministry to help them recover from their ordeal.
Rescued Laos Girls
Some of the girls wait to be transferred from the Nam Cha bar. Authorities posing as customers visited the bar and asked to buy sexual services from the girls working as hostesses there. A bar worker drove the girl and the undercover officer to a nearby hotel. The worker and the girl were detained by DSI officers who were waiting for them at the hotel.
Rescued Laos Girls
The girls are being moved from the bar to the Ban Kred Trakan Home.
Rescued Laos Girls
Authorities seize from the bar a list of names of local police who took bribes to keep the bar from being closed down.