Police from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division arrested four people for allegedly enticing boys to be used for online pornography purposes during raids in Bangkok and three other provinces.
Pol Maj Gen Wiwat Khamchamnan, the division commander, said the arrests were part of a crackdown that follows information gained from the earlier arrest of a child pornography suspect in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom on Feb 4.
Pol Maj Gen Wiwat said after gathering enough evidence police this week asked the Criminal Court to approve warrants for the arrest of the four suspects on charges related to production and distribution of child pornographic material and the molestation of children aged 15 years or under.
Patcharanan Sribaripong, 33, was nabbed in Bangkok's Bung Kum district while Tawatcha Rit-anake, 23, was arrested in front of a house in Ang Thong's Muang district.
Natthapol Chanthasor, 23, was taken into custody on a street in Chaiyaphum's Noen Sa-nga district and Sompong Holatphrao was arrested on a street in Kanchanaburi's Lao Khwan district.
Pol Maj Gen Wiwat said the four admitted to the charges.
Among the evidence police have are chat messages, pornographic pictures found on their electronic devices and proof of money transfers, Pol Maj Gen Wiwat said.
He said the four were hired by different child pornography rings but some of these networks were related.
According to Pol Maj Gen Wiwat, members of the child pornography rings approached boys and enticed them into pornography through financial incentives or gifts.
The various rings then shared the images with members of private online groups that charged subscription fees of 150-400 baht. One of the groups -- known as Phad Kaphrao (stir-fried basil) -- had about 400 members.
Pol Maj Gen Wiwat also urged parents to keep a close eye on their children to make sure they do not fall prey to child pornography rings.