A Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok yesterday asked the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) to bring the agent who lured six Thai women into prostitution in Bahrain to justice.
Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, the MP, said he was contacted by relatives of one of the victims who lived in his constitutency of Sai Mai district last year. He said he coordinated with police and the foreign affairs ministry to help the women and bring them home in November.
"It has been two months since these victims returned home, and it is time to push the police to investigate and find out the culprit," he said.
The six victims, along with officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), also attended the meeting with the ATPD yesterday.
According to MSDHS's information, many Thai female workers travelled to work in many countries -- such as Bahrain, Yemen, Japan, Qatar and Germany -- in 2018.
Some of them voluntarily worked in the sex trade while many were lured by an agent, he said, noting that for this case, the MSDHS needs to screen all of them so they can provide assistance before coordinating with the Office of the Attorney General to pursue the case as human trafficking charges.
One of the victims, known only as Ms Ae, said she was made redundant due to the Covid-19 fallout. She said being fired was the reason why she decided to work for a Thai traditional massage parlour in Bahrain. The work description promised a high salary of almost 100,000 baht via social media, she said.
Furthermore, a Thai broker informed her via Line that the parlour would only offer Thai massage, promising that no sex would be involved.
Upon reaching Bahrain, the victim was taken to her room, her passport was taken, and she was forced to offer sex.