Thai women trapped in Bahrain sex racket

Manama: Dozens of Thai women have been reportedly lured into prostitution in Bahrain by job brokers, bringing a horrifying scam into light.

Thailand’s  Anti-Human Trafficking Division began their investigation yesterday following a complaint from the parents of one of the victims, saying their 30-year-old daughter is living in fear from being forced to work as prostitute in Bahrain, a report from Bangkok Post has confirmed.

 The Thai Police are also examining an online chat record between the victim, identified as Phennapha Khamphromma, and her friend. The correspondence was posted on social media, following the alleged scam to lure women into prostitution was known to be run by a female Thai broker, said deputy division chief Mana Klipsattabut.

A chat record was given to police by the victim’s parents along with  evidence including their daughter's whereabouts, a photo of her allegedly being injured as well as a photo of the broker, the news website said.

The police reportedly identified the broker as Supphanat Plapkhonchua. However the authorities suspect the genuity of the name as there were no matches when checked in the local civil registration database.

After being approached, the broker had told Ms Phennapha's mother on March 8 that she could find a job for the victim as a masseuse in Manama.

However, Ms Phennapha had paid 300,000 baht to process documents and for other fees, according to the Help Crime Victims Club.

One week after she began working in Manama, Ms Phennapha transferred 10,000 baht to her family. But in April, she and 10 other Thai women were allegedly forced to work as prostitutes, the head of the victims club, Atchariya Rueangrattanaphong told to the newspaper. "We've been informed about many similar cases," Pol Col Mana said.

Many unsuspecting women have been trapped in such scams after being deceived by people in their communities or someone they know, who pretend to offer legal, well-paid jobs overseas, said Usa Loetsisanthat of the Foundation for Women.