Accused aunt denies prostitution charges

Police did not oppose her release on bail, however, the woman is still in Central Remand Prison, Bang Khen waiting for a bail application, which will be made on Tuesday, Lt-Colonel Chusak Apaipak of the anti-human trafficking police, said yesterday. 

He said her relatives had been to visit her but they needed time to prepare property documents to use as bail collateral. 

Meanwhile, 20 witnesses needed to be investigated, police said.

The Criminal court has allowed police to detain Piengjai Kim, 37, a Roi Et native, for 12 days from May 25 to June 5, while the attorney-general assigns investigators to lead the case, said Chusak.

The niece was rescued on May 17 from a massage parlour in Seoul, a few days after she sent a request for help via Facebook. The rescue was carried out in a joint operation between Thai and South Korean police.

The girl was allegedly persuaded by Piengjai in December to work as a masseur and to provide sex for customers. When she first refused, her aunt allegedly took the side of the massage parlour, which then forced her to provide sexual services. She secretly used Facebook via a mobile phone to contact her friends in Thailand so they could contact police.

Piengjai flew back to Thailand on Thursday and reported directly to investigators. She was charged on five counts, including human trafficking and forcing a person under 18 years old into prostitution. She has denied all the allegations. 

Her brother, who is the girl’s father, earlier told police that his daughter made up the story so that she could return to Thailand.