Officers from the Patong Police led by Pol Capt Udon Phahulrat raided the Universe Massage shop on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd at about 9:30pm last night (Aug 14).
The officers arrested one suspect, named by police only as “Mr Anant”, who was charged with “operating a health establishment without permission”.
News of the raid was announced by Patong Police late last night, with the explanation that the raid was part of an ongoing effort to crack down on illegal massage operators in the tourism town.
The crackdown is to specifically focus on venues operating without a licence, and “to prevent prostitution in the workplace and unlawful acts”, said the announcement.
The crackdown comes by order of Patong Police Chief Pol Col Sujin Nilbadee, co-signed by Patong Police Deputy Superintendents Pol Lt Col Somporn Surin and Pol Lt Col Wutthiwat Liang Boonjinda, the announcement said.
Universe Massage was the third massage venue raided by Patong Police since Monday last week (Aug 7), when officers raided Aisha Massage, located in a small street off Haad Patong Rd, and arrested the operator, named by police only as “Ms Yupin”, for operating a health establishment without permission and allowing employees under 18 years of age to work in a place where massage services are provided to customers.
Patong Police on Saturday night (Aug 12) raided the Hatha Massage shop on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd following a complaint that the shop was operating without a licence and using “children” under 18 years of age to provide massage services.
Officers arrested one suspect, named only as “Ms Onuma”, who was charged with only “operating a health establishment without permission”.