PHUKET: Immigration police in Krabi Town were contacted by an informant on Wednesday
(September 5) and advised that foreign nationals were being illegally employed
at two karaoke bars in Klong Tom District of Krabi Province.
The informant described the illegals’ employer as “a locally influential figure”, adding that “police know of his operations and protect him”. He added that the karaokes had been in operation a long time and stayed open after official closing.
Two teams of Immigration officers under the command of chief inspector Pol Lt Col Sooparik Pankosol, went to investigate. One team arrested eight Laotian girls, two under the age of 18, working as serving staff at Bai Jai Karaoke. The registered owner, however, “was too quick for them” and escaped.
At Peuan Jai Karaoke, three Laotian girls were arrested. There, too, the registered owner was “too quick for police and escaped”.
“Registered owners” of Thai-owned bars and restaurants are often not the actual owners, but stand-ins who take the fall in case of legal troubles.
As the officers were engaged in their duties arresting the girls, two men – one an unidentified “locally influential figure”, the other an unidentified senior police sergeant – offered B50,000 per girl “to clear the problem”.
The Immigration officers, however, “paid no attention” to the offer, which precipitated a loud quarrel. No violence ensued, however, and the girls were taken into custody.
According to Immigration Police, all 11 girls freely admitted coming to Thailand as tourists, then finding work illegally at the two karaokes. They said they had been employed just over a month, receiving B100 to B200 a night.
The nine girls over the age of 18 were charged with working without permission and held pending deportation. The other two were turned over to the Krabi Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security to be cared for until their return to Laos can be arranged.
Pol Lt Col Sooparik thereafter filed a complaint with Klongtom District police charging the karaokes’ owner with human trafficking and employing foreign nationals without work permits.
It was not reported whether any charges were contemplated against the unidentified police senior sergeant, nor whether complaints about bribery were filed.
