Five Thai policemen and a human trafficking official are under investigation for allegedly receiving free services from a Bangkok massage parlour accused of coercing underage girls into the sex trade, authorities said Monday. They found more than 100 sex workers from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China, at least three of whom were under 18 and had been forced into the industry. An unnamed human trafficking official and a tax officer were also named among the recipients facing a probe by the anti-graft office. “Eighty-five other women could be charged for illegally selling sex and deported,” the official added, requesting anonymity. In 2017 Thailand, which draws millions of migrant workers from poorer surrounding nations, remained on Tier 2 of a US watch list for failing to meet “the minimum standards” to combat human trafficking.

Source: Punch January 15, 2018 12:11 UTC