Recruiter Accused of Trafficking Women to Bahrain Arrested in Thailand
Recruiter Accused of Trafficking Women to Bahrain Arrested in Thailand
BANGKOK, April 25, 2026 — Thai police have arrested a woman accused of luring job seekers with promises of casino work in Singapore before trafficking them into prostitution in Bahrain, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as Ladapa, 31, also known as Kanchana, was detained on April 24 at a petrol station in Phitsanulok province under a Criminal Court warrant issued earlier this week.
She faces charges including human trafficking, unlawful detention, deception and procuring individuals for prostitution, police said.
Investigators allege the suspect acted as a recruiter in a cross-border trafficking network and received about 30,000 baht ($800) for each victim delivered.
The case dates back to 2016, when two Thai women responded to a Facebook job advertisement offering positions as chip exchange staff at a casino in Singapore, with a promised monthly salary of around 100,000 baht, free accommodation and travel costs.
Police said shortly before departure the women were told the job location had changed to Bahrain.
Upon arrival, they allegedly discovered they had been deceived and were expected to work in prostitution. When they refused, members of the trafficking network threatened them and demanded repayment of travel-related debts exceeding 100,000 baht, authorities said.
The victims later contacted the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, which coordinated assistance and helped them file complaints with police in Bahrain before returning to Thailand.
Evidence gathered during the investigation led to the arrest warrant, police said.
During questioning, the suspect denied all charges and was transferred to anti-trafficking investigators for further legal proceedings.
Thai authorities said the case underscored continuing risks posed by transnational trafficking gangs using social media to target job seekers with fraudulent overseas employment offers.
