Multi-National Rescue Operation in Bangkok: Eight Survivors Rescued, Three Offenders Arrested  | OUR Rescue
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Multi-National Rescue Operation in Bangkok: Eight Survivors Rescued, Three Offenders Arrested 

Katie Larsen
Posted by Katie Larsen
Published on January 2, 2025
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2 min read
OUR Rescue

In December 2024, eight survivors of sex trafficking were rescued by authorities in a coordinated operation in Bangkok, Thailand. The survivors included seven Tanzanian women, aged 22-36, and one Kenyan woman. Additionally, the operation resulted in the arrests of three offenders connected to a transnational criminal organization. 

Arrested Offenders: 

  • 49-year-old male (Mali national): Charged with participating in a transnational criminal organization and human trafficking offenses. 
  • 46-year-old female (Tanzanian national): Charged with participating in a transnational criminal organization and human trafficking offenses. 
  • 43-year-old female (Tanzanian national): Charged with soliciting prostitution, coercing African women into sex work for male clients in central Bangkok, financially exploiting the women, and employing manipulative tactics to maintain control. 

Operation Execution: 

The Department of Special Investigation (Bureau of Human Trafficking Crime) led the operation with support from the Office of the Attorney General, the Immigration Bureau under the Royal Thai Police, and other security agencies. OUR RESCUE became involved in March 2023 after the first survivor sought help. Over a period of 18 months, OUR RESCUE assisted authorities per their request by: 

  • Gathering intelligence via open-source intelligence (OSINT). 
  • Conducting digital forensic analysis to retrieve critical data from the survivors’ devices. 
  • Partnering with other nonprofits to provide survivor care and resources. 

While OUR Rescue did not directly participate in the arrests or rescues, our efforts helped build the case. Arrests occurred on December 1 at a checkpoint near the Thailand-Laos border and on December 4 at an apartment in Bangkok. 

The traffickers deceived the survivors with promises of employment in restaurants, hairdressing salons, or bars. Initial communication occurred exclusively through WhatsApp, and the women did not meet the traffickers in person until arrival. Once in Bangkok, the women were forced into sex work and trapped in debt bondage. Each woman was burdened with fabricated debts of approximately $4,000 for visas and travel costs. Their passports were confiscated, and they were required to pay $500 weekly to their traffickers, with penalties further inflating their debts.  

Survivor Repatriation and Support: 

Now, these brave survivors have been repatriated to their home countries. NightLight International, a nonprofit organization, provided immediate support for the survivors. OUR RESCUE assisted three of them—two Tanzanians and one Kenyan—by facilitating their return home last year. This assistance included purchasing plane tickets, covering hotel expenses, and providing cash and food aid. Survivors also received startup funds to begin new businesses, empowering their fresh start. Coordination between OUR RESCUE teams in Thailand and teams in Africa ensure ongoing care and resources for these survivors as they rebuild their lives. 

Global partnerships are critical in the fight to combat sex trafficking and offer hope to survivors. This operation serves as a reminder of the resilience of those who endure such adversity and our collective responsibility to champion the fight.