Video of 'police beating Burmese prostitutes' in Thailand causes outrage

Horrific video of ‘police beating prostitutes until they are nearly unconscious’ provokes outrage in Thailand

An estimated 20,00-30,000 young Burmese women work as prostitutes in Thailand, most of them from ethnic minorities, and 60 per cent of them are thought to be under 18.

Women, often from remote, rural locations, are lured into the industry with the promise of high wages, good conditions, and job security.

But the reality is very different.  The women are paid very little, and kept as virtual slaves by the often violent pimps.  Clients frequently refuse to use condoms, and disease is rife.

Rights organisationHumanTrafficking.orgsays: 'Burmese migrants make up the bulk of migrants in Thailand, often fleeing from military oppression.'

It says corruption is still 'widespread' amongst Thai law enforcement personnel, adding: 'There are also reports that Thai police and immigration officials extort money or sex from Burmese citizens detained in Thailand for immigration violations, and sell Burmese people who are unable to pay to labor brokers and sex traffickers.

Comments on the YouTube footage called for the men involved to be identified and hanged, with one viewer saying: 'They always pick on the new girls who seem to be the strongest - warning not to run away and to listen.

'It comes with the job - the pimps are the scum of the earth.'

Another viewer wrote: 'I hope someone can take serious action and get these men so that they wouldn't torture anyone any more.'