The Service Workers in Group Foundation (SWING) has formally requested an investigation into the detention of 25 individuals during a police sweep in Pattaya on August 29. The operation, which targeted sex workers on public streets, occurred just days before the arrival of 5,000 US military personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group. Authorities apprehended 18 Thai citizens, five Lao nationals, and two Ugandans, though reports remain inconsistent regarding whether the individuals faced formal criminal arrests or administrative fines. SWING is questioning the legality and treatment of those detained, highlighting the ongoing tension between local law enforcement and the sex worker community. This incident has reignited debates over Thailand's 1996 prostitution legislation, as the organization continues to push for legal reforms that remain stalled without government support. Officials maintain that the crackdown was intended to ensure public order and safety.
Source : Thai Examiner
