PHUKET: Representatives from 15 ''at risk'' bars in Patong were warned by police yesterday to be careful that no underage women were employed on their premises.
The warning comes after complains from Phuket tourists to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Bangkok.
Although Patong police said they could not determine any cases where underage women were employed in Patong bars, the 15 bars considered to be the ''most likely'' employers of people in the sex trade were called in for the meeting.
The gathering at Kathu Police Station was part of a pro-active campaign to suppress drugs and human trafficking in Patong and across Phuket, said Lieutenant Colonel Pratya Jansomwong.
''We have told these 15 'at-risk' bars that another meeting will be held next month, and next time I want the owners to all come, not to just send staff representatives,'' he said.
There was constant concern that the reputation of Patong would suffer if underage girls were discovered in the sex trade, the lieutenant colonel said.
Asked today about the obvious presence of Russian women in Soi Bangla, Patong's famous after-dark walking street, Lieutenant Colonel Pratya said that there were 14 Russian women who had work permits for Phuket as dancers and entertainers.
''We actually have a case where an undercover policeman asked one of the Russian dancers for sex, and was told most definitely that it was not part of her job description,'' the lieutenant colonel said.
The warning comes after complains from Phuket tourists to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Bangkok.
Although Patong police said they could not determine any cases where underage women were employed in Patong bars, the 15 bars considered to be the ''most likely'' employers of people in the sex trade were called in for the meeting.
The gathering at Kathu Police Station was part of a pro-active campaign to suppress drugs and human trafficking in Patong and across Phuket, said Lieutenant Colonel Pratya Jansomwong.
''We have told these 15 'at-risk' bars that another meeting will be held next month, and next time I want the owners to all come, not to just send staff representatives,'' he said.
There was constant concern that the reputation of Patong would suffer if underage girls were discovered in the sex trade, the lieutenant colonel said.
Asked today about the obvious presence of Russian women in Soi Bangla, Patong's famous after-dark walking street, Lieutenant Colonel Pratya said that there were 14 Russian women who had work permits for Phuket as dancers and entertainers.
''We actually have a case where an undercover policeman asked one of the Russian dancers for sex, and was told most definitely that it was not part of her job description,'' the lieutenant colonel said.
I strongly suggest that the authorities visit the Paradise complex in Patong. They might be surprised.
Posted by Sean on December 22, 2011 17:06