Thailand inquires about Germany’s crack down on sex trafficking ring

BANGKOK, April 20 (TNA) -- Thai authorities have inquired about Germany’s crack down on sex trafficking ring but are still unable to confirm whether a major suspect is Thai national as reported. German police conducted a nationwide crackdown on forced prostitution in what they say the largest operation in the history. Fifty six Thai nationals including a 59-year-old Thai woman who allegedly led the criminal ring are among more than 100 people arrested on Wednesday, according to a German police statement. The statement described them as human traffickers and criminals who involved in "smuggling, forced prostitution and exploitation." Police General Thammasak Wicharaya, who heads a transnational human trafficking panel of the Royal Thai Police, on Thursday called a meeting with Foreign Ministry officials and public attorney on the matter. He said Thailand had asked for official contact on the case after learning about the raids from news reports. In the operation, about 1,500 police officers took part targeting individuals and properties suspected of involving in smuggling sex workers from Thailand. German media reported that police detained a 59-year-old Thai woman in the town of Siegen whom suspected of being a leader of the gang along with her 62-year-old German boyfriend. Police have said the gang provided fake visas to Thai women and transgender people to travel to Germany. They allegedly charged between 16,000 and 30,000 EURO and then forced the victims into sex work to repay their debts. An unconfirmed report says one of the victims was able to escape and sought help with the Thai Embassy in Germany. (TNA)