Thailand: New Soi 6 Bar Raid Uncovers Under-age Sex, Prostitution

Jul 17, 2019 | NEWS, Thailand

  Culture & News Desk

Soi 6 – Thailand – BKKHD

A new raid conducted by the special administrative department of Pattaya, in Thailand uncovers jarring evidence of prostitution and under-age sex being offered in this infamous part of the city.

This comes weeks after a large-scale surprise inspection conducted by the combined Thai police and army forces of which their findings indicate no such activities happening in the area.

Establishing Evidence

According to a report, authorities led by the local administrative department of Pattaya busted the Coming Bar in Soi 6 and found proof of earlier claims saying that the place is offering sex for its patrons.

The bar reportedly employs 18 hostesses of which one of them was found to be a minor – aging just 17 this year.

After transactions were made at the bar downstairs, patrons could then take the women in the “special rooms” upstairs for sex.

Sources indicate that the establishment is owned and operated by a group consisting of Thai, Taiwanese, and Chinese nationals.

Workers of Coming Bar were interviewed by the police who later claimed the credit for the successful bust during a press conference.

Charges of human trafficking, prostitution, and corrupting minors were already being made against responsible parties.

The operation was launched by the initiative of the Ronnasit Foundation – a Thai organization focusing on rescuing children and women who fall victims of human trafficking and violence.

Missed A Spot

Barely a couple of weeks before the recent raid, some 200 officials from both the army and police went to scour the line of bars running along the so-called Walking Street as part of their joint campaign to crack down on prostitution and drugs rumored to be rampant in the area.

The Thai press declared that they found no evidence of that sort in Pattaya’s former red-light district.

The news later drew the ire and mockery of Thai locals and expatriates alike who claimed the story to be opposite to what was really happening in the area.

Eyes Wide Shut

Technically, prostitution in Thailand is illegal. However, the multi-billion dollars-worth of revenue pushes key cities, like Pattaya, to tolerate such activities.

In Pattaya particularly, foreign tourists and locals flock on Walking Street where there can be found a vast number of bars, massage parlors, saunas, and hourly hotels that offer entertainment as well as sex services.

Aside from Walking Street, Pattaya’s other areas such as Boyztown, Jomtien Complex, and Sunee Plaza also drew fame in Asia and all over the world for its huge gay scenes.

After being called “the world’s sex capital,” and “modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah” by international tabloids The Sun and the Daily Mirror, Thai government officials intensified their efforts to clean up the city’s seedy reputation.

BTS Walks Louis Vuitton FW21 Show in Korea

It seems BTS did not only take k-pop by storm but also fashion. The K-pop group walked Louis Vuitton’s FW21 runway as their global ambassadors. The pop icons graced the show in a fashion film directed by Jeon Go-woon.

Humans Try to Take Back Thai City from Fearless Monkeys

Residents barricaded indoors, rival gang fights and no-go zones for humans. Welcome to Lopburi, an ancient Thai city overrun by monkeys super-charged on junk food, whose population is growing out of control.

Japan Urges Release of Journalist Detained in Myanmar

Japan has urged Myanmar authorities to release a Japanese journalist in custody at a Yangon prison, one of at least 65 reporters arrested during the junta’s crackdown on anti-coup protests.

Evergrande Founder Calls for Construction, Sales to Resume

The head of teetering Chinese developer Evergrande has urged staff to resume construction and sales to deliver properties, state media reported Thursday, as the firm battles to avoid a collapse that could send shockwaves through the world’s number two economy.

Japanese Apartment-Style Hotel Mimaru Opens in Ginza

An apartment-style hotel recently opened its doors to the public in the Ginza area of Tokyo. The hotel boasts large rooms with modern Japanese design for families to enjoy. Know more about this unique hotel.

Philippines Lifts Lockdown in Capital as Virus Surges

The Philippines will lift a stay-at-home order in the capital Manila this week as it trials “granular lockdowns”, an official said Monday, in a bid to rein in coronavirus cases and revive the economy.

Keeping it Real: Appraisers Sift China Second-Hand Luxury Market for Fakes

It’s the world’s biggest market for luxury goods — and their counterfeits — so an expert eye for telling a bona fide Chanel handbag from a bogus one is a skill set in hot demand across China.

Hidden Camera Footage Shows Abusive Taming of Baby Elephant at Thai Camp

Footage of a distressed baby elephant jabbed by bullhooks at a Thai camp to tame it before joining the tourist industry has been released by conservationists in an appeal to end the practice.

Laser-Guided Lightning May Help Prevent Wildfires

Small, portable laser pointers could be used to guide lightning strikes, with a study suggesting the technology may prevent bolts from sparking wildfires, a researcher told AFP Thursday.

China’s ‘Space Dream’: A Long March to the Moon and Beyond

The launch of the first module of China’s new space station – “Heavenly Palace” – on Thursday underlined how far the country has come in achieving its space dream.

Asia’s Obsession with White Skin

Take a look at why millions of Asian women want whiter skin

India’s Massive Kite Festival

Uttarayan is an annual International kite flying festival in Gujarat where giant kites shaped as mermaids, horses, and even footballs take over the sky

Britain’s William and Kate Begin ‘Complex’ Tour of Pakistan

Prince William and his wife Kate arrived in Pakistan to a red carpet welcome late Monday for their “most complex” tour to date, with Islamabad eager to tout improved security after years of violent militancy.

Hiking Surge Leaves Wild Cows Starving on Hong Kong Island

While many hope the Year of the Ox will herald times of plenty, a herd of wild cows in Hong Kong is going hungry after visitors to their habitat surged during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thai Metal Workshop Dazzles Tourists With Movie-Inspired Creations

Towering Transformers, life-sized Marvel superheroes and extraterrestrial lifeforms — a “House of Steel Robots” in Thailand has made a name for itself by transforming scrap metal into dazzling sculptures inspired by Hollywood blockbusters.

Masks Go on World Tour as Hong Kongers Now Send Supplies Abroad

Hong Konger Adrian W. Chan is hunting for face masks to send to his parents in Canada, an increasingly common sight in a city once stalked by shortages and now trying to lend a hand as the coronavirus spreads overseas.

Family of South Korean Dictator’s Assassin Seek Treason Acquittal

Forty years after South Korea’s spy chief was executed for shooting dead his boss, dictator Park Chung-hee, the assassin’s sister is seeking to clear him of treason, arguing the killing was in the service of the country.

Over 570,000 Uighurs Involved in China Cotton Coerced Labor

Hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority labourers in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region are being forced to pick cotton through a coercive state-run scheme, a report has said.

Fighting Racism with Art: Asian Artists Take the Lead

The effects of the pandemic are still greatly felt, but there’s one more problem that has escalated because of it: Racism. Asian-Americans adversely affected by xenophobia have spoken up. Hear what artists, influencers, and designers have to say.

Cambodia ‘Bug Cafe’ Serves up Delicious Insect Tapas and Cocktails

Ant spring rolls, silkworm taro croquettes and a “bug mac” – Cambodia’s first insect tapas restaurant is mixing cocktail culture with creepy crawler fare.

Cambodian Double Amputee Artist Fights Stigma Through Art

Whispered insults, social isolation, and lost opportunities — Morn Chear is channelling the stigma he has endured since he lost both his hands a decade ago into artwork that highlights the hardships of Cambodia’s disabled.

Warlord Chic: Taliban Make Themselves at Home in Dostum’s Mansion

Taliban fighters have taken over the glitzy Kabul mansion of one of their fiercest enemies — the warlord and fugitive ex-vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum.

Animal Rights Group Welcomes the End of China Dog Meat Trade

Draft rules by Chinese authorities that specify dogs as “companion animals” rather than livestock were hailed by a rights group Thursday as an “encouraging” step towards ending the dog meat trade in the country.

Hong Kong Media Tycoon Lai Arrested over Speedboat Fugitives

Hong Kong police have arrested Jimmy Lai on suspicion of trying to help a fugitive flee the city, his own newspaper reported Wednesday, as authorities stack up criminal cases against the outspoken media tycoon.

BTS Hit ‘Dynamite’ Worth $1.4 Billion to South Korea

K-pop sensation BTS’s US-chart-topping single “Dynamite” could generate more than $1.4 billion for the South Korean economy and thousands of new jobs in the country, a government study claimed Monday.

Japan’s Nishiya, 13, First Women’s Olympic Skateboard Champion

Japan’s Momiji Nishiya became one of the youngest individual Olympic champions in history when she won the inaugural women’s skateboarding gold at the age of 13 years and 330 days on Monday.

The Essex Tragedy and the Migrant Gamble

Not even the risk of death could deter Asia’s migrants from seeking a better life abroad. The British police continue to investigate the 39 illegal Migrants deaths associated with the refrigerated truck tragedy that occurred in Grays, Essex, in southeast England.

A Recap of What Happened in Japan’s Devastating Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster

Referred to as the “triple disaster”, Pope Francis will meet in Japan with victims of the enormous earthquake and tsunami of 2011 that triggered the Fukushima nuclear meltdown

‘Don’t Watch’ – Fans Warned Off Tokyo Olympics Marathon Test

Spectators were urged to stay away as a subdued Tokyo Olympics marathon rehearsal took place under strict anti-coronavirus conditions in Sapporo on Wednesday, as officials grapple with a rise in infections and public antipathy to the Games.

Hong Kong Florist Helps Prisoners Send Christmas Gifts

Samantha burst into tears when she opened the box from florist Elise Ip on Christmas Day. It was a surprise gift from her boyfriend, in custody for joining last year’s Hong Kong protests.

The Death of Christine Dacera Raises Questions on ‘Rape-Slay’ Theory

The death of Christine Dacera, a 23-year-old flight attendant, has been taking over headlines since the start of the year. To date, millions of anxious social media users have been keeping tabs on her case after she died in a hotel in Makati.

Singapore MMA Show Test Case for Return of Sports Fans

Singapore’s pilot initiative to carry out rapid coronavirus testing to allow fans into a One Championship MMA show could pave the way for other countries to host sports events during the pandemic, organisers said.

Snap National Lockdown in New Zealand over Single Virus Case

New Zealand imposed a snap three-day lockdown Tuesday after identifying a single case of locally transmitted Covid-19 suspected to be the Delta variant, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

Indian Cosmic Guru Turned Fugitive Wanted by Officials

Indian border officials and embassies have issued an alert for a fugitive guru accused of rape, the government said, days after the holy man announced the creation of his own “cosmic” country.

Malaysian State to Ban All Turtle Eggs Trade

A Malaysian state that is a major nesting site for turtles will ban the trade in their eggs, authorities said Thursday, in a boost for the threatened creatures.

China’s Surveillance Program Gets Backing From Local Tech Firms

China is now drawing closer than ever to building a more closely-monitored society as it gains more support from domestic surveillance tech firms.

No Bull! Climate Researchers ‘Potty Train’ Peeing Cows

Scientists say they have successfully “potty trained” cows to urinate in a designated toilet area as part of a program aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

China Firefighters Rescue 20 Dogs Trapped in Flooded Pet Hospital

Firefighters in lifejackets waded through chest-high water to rescue around 20 dogs trapped at a pet hospital in southwest China’s Sichuan province as heavy rain and flooding doused the region.

Prison Pen Pals: Hong Kongers Keep in Touch With Jailed Protesters

When Hong Kong protester Hei saw fellow activists put behind bars for taking part in last year’s democracy protests, she was determined to keep the flame burning by writing them letters.

The Best K-Dramas to Binge Watch This July

The start of July signals a great beginning for Korean dramas. Whether you love romance, fantasy, or thrillers, these k-dramas will leave you preoccupied for July. Get your popcorn ready because the series listed below will definitely keep you entertained.

Thousands Flock to See Dwarf Cow in Bangladesh

Thousands of people are defying a nationwide coronavirus lockdown in Bangladesh to see Rani, a 51-centimetre (20-inch) tall cow whose owners claim it is the world’s smallest.

Being Invisible: Japan Disabled Lawmakers Fight for Inclusion

Japanese lawmaker Yasuhiko Funago has a neurological disease that means he cannot speak and communicates by blinking to his carer or operating a computer system with his mouth.

Celebrity Tattoo Artist Seeks Legalization in South Korea

South Korean tattooist Doy counts Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt and members of K-Pop band EXO among his celebrity clients, but his delicate, detailed designs could land him in prison.

Singapore Bans Brits over Yacht Party that Breached COVID Rules

Nine Britons have been banned from working in Singapore after breaking coronavirus rules by partying on a yacht in swimwear and Santa hats, reports said Thursday.

Robot Dog Hounds Thai Shoppers to Keep Hands Virus-Free

A scurrying robot dog named K9 dispenses hand sanitizer to curious children and wary shoppers — one of the more unexpected measures Thai malls are taking as the kingdom relaxes virus restrictions.

Tear-Jerker Chinese Film ‘Hi Mom’ Proves Massive Box-Office Success

Audiences are cramming into Chinese cinemas to watch a sentimental comedy that has rapidly become one of the most popular films of all time in the country and marks a triumphant debut for its female director.

Coolant Leak ‘Likely’ Sparked Giant Tesla Battery Fire in Australia

A three-day blaze that completely incinerated two giant Tesla batteries at a vast energy storage site in Australia was probably sparked by a coolant leak, safety regulators said Tuesday.

The ‘Tube Houses’ that Dominate Hanoi’s Streets

Tall, thin and brightly colored, Hanoi’s “tube houses” dominate the city’s streets as nine million people compete for space in Vietnam’s bustling capital.

China’s ‘Spiderman’ Picking Trash over the Abyss

Dangling 400 metres (1,300 feet) over a void, suspended only by a cord, Yang Feiyue is not your average litter-picker.

Down the Rabbit Hole: Gwen Wong Wayne Looks Back on Her Playboy Odyssey

Only a few jobs in the world can rival the whispers Playboy Bunnies get, both controversial and not. The second Asian American Playmate, Gwen Wong Wayne, recounts her incredible experiences working as a Bunny in the 60s and 70s, and shares her life today.

Japan Princess to Wed, Reject Payout after Controversy

The course of true love never did run smooth, but after public controversy and a wedding delay, Japan’s Princess Mako is reportedly set to tie the knot and move to America.