Two suspected African sex workers arrested in red-light area in Thailand

Two African women said to be hookers were arrested on famed red-light area, Bangla Road in Patong, Phuket, Thailand on Saturday. after it was found they had overstayed their visas.

However, no details on how long the women had overstayed or how they managed to fund their stays has been forthcoming.

Patong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Jessada Sangsuree confirmed the arrest of the two women following a report titled ‘Suppressing Human Trafficking and Alien Overstaying’ issued on Thursday, July 19 and addressed to Patong Police Chief Col Anocha Jindamane.

The report noted that Patong Police officers Lt Nikorn Chuthong and Lt Narubodin Pangsenson had placed two women under arrest while the officers were on patrol and “checking areas” along Bangla Rd.

The two women were named as Shaniyah Nyongonga, 31, and Latifah Hazziwa, 28, said to be from Uganda

Nyongonga was arrested and charged for illegally staying in the country after her permit-to-stay had expired, while Hazziwa was arrested and charged for illegally entering the country and for staying in the country without permission.

“We are worried that more and more women are coming here to Phuket, especially Patong, and are doing the same like this,” Col Jessada guardedly told The Phuket News.

“The same is happening in other areas like Pattaya. They arrive as if on a vacation, but stay longer,” he added.