The arrests were made at about 3am during a joint operation by Phuket Immigration, Phuket Tourist Police and officers from the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office.
Officers arrested the women during on duty of inspection along Bangla Rd, where they were found approaching and soliciting passersby.
Phuket Tourist Police said in a report that the actions constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act.
“All nine were taken into custody and handed to social development officials for processing and fines before being transferred to Phuket Immigration for further action,” the report stated.
The nine women, all Ugandan nationals, were identified only as: Deborah, 26; Rosemary, 42; Faaridah, 29; Gift Mirembe, 36; Milly Mildrid, 31; Zakiya, 35; Hasifah, 38; Brenda, 31; and Angel, 30.
Immigration records showed that two of the women had overstayed their permitted period of stay by 229 days and 76 days respectively. The report did not specify which of the nine were responsible. The cases were forwarded to Patong Police for legal proceedings.
Phuket Immigration Chief Pol Col Khemchart Wattanapakasem confirmed that their permission to stay will be revoked and that they will be blacklisted from re-entering Thailand.
“This is in line with national policy to suppress foreigners who enter Thailand and commit offences or work illegally,” he said.
Pol Col Khemchart added that inspections in Patong will continue to maintain public safety and confidence among residents and tourists.