A woman was arrested in Samut Prakan on Thursday for allegedly luring Thai women into forced prostitution in Bahrain.
Police from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, led by division chief Pol Maj Gen Wiwat Khamchamnarn, apprehended Wassana Meechan, 54, in tambon Na Klue of Phra Samut Chedi district on Thursday morning, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), said.
Ms Wassana was wanted on an arrest warrant for alleged collusion in human trafficking by procuring women for forced prostitution and illegal detention.
Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop alleged the suspect was a key figure in enticing young women into going to Bahrain, leading them to believe there were spas there wanting to hire masseuses and pay high wages of 50,000-70,000 baht a month.
This attracted many women, who went to Bahrain.
However, on arrival they were detained in rooms and forced to provide sex services. They received only 50% of the money their customers were charged.
Some victims managed to contact the Pavena Hongsakla Foundation for Children and Women. They were rescued and returned to Thailand, the CIB chief said.
During questioning, Ms Wassana allegedy admitted to having persuaded women to work abroad, but denied luring them into forced prostitution.
The CIB commissioner said investigators were still ascertaining how many women had been victimised by the suspect.
The trafficking network had also lured women into the flesh trade in other countries, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said. He declined to name the countries, and insisted no state officials were involved.