The operation was described as necessary as the women were “damaging Phuket’s tourism image”.
The arrests were made as part of a crackdown ordered by Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonnalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, alongside other high-ranking officials, said an official report of the arrests.
The operation aimed to combat illegal employment, transnational crimes and activities that disrupt public order under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, the report said.
Officers reportedly launched an investigation after receiving complaints about foreign women soliciting customers on Soi Bangla.
Officers in the early hours of this morning conducted surveillance in the area, and apparently observed the suspects interacting with foreign tourists before intervening.
The five women arrested , all Ugandan nationals, were identified only as: Mayimuna, 36; Hadijah, 36; Sandra, 31; Harriet, 35; and Bett, 38.
According to Phuket Immigration, all five women admitted to soliciting tourists. They were charged under Section 5 of the Prostitution Prevention and Suppression Act B.E. 2539, which prohibits public solicitation in a manner that is open, embarrassing or a nuisance.
Following their arrest, the women were fined and handed over to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Phuket Immigration has since revoked their visas and initiated deportation procedures.
The arrests by Phuket Immigration followed Patong Police arresting nine transgender women for public nuisance offenses along Soi Bangla.
The nine transgender women were charged with “acting in any way to others that is a nuisance in a public place or in front of the public or acting in a manner that is suggestive of sexual harassment”, Patong Police confirmed.
Patong Police have not disclosed specific details about the alleged behaviours of the nine arrested, but emphasised that the operation was part of an ongoing effort to maintain public order in one of Phuket’s busiest tourist hubs.