Russian Arrested During Child Prostitution Busts in Pattaya

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A Russian national has been arrested for his involvement in a child prostitution network operating in Pattaya. The arrest follows Sundays bust on a Thai man thought to be the main agent in the operation involved with procuring young boys for largely foreign clientele.

Pattaya, the 5^th of July 2010 [PDN]: Investigators from the Children & Woman’s Protection Center along with the Welfare Protection & Child Development Center successfully apprehended Mr. Traiphop Bunphasong [40] on Sunday, with follow-up investigations leading to the arrest of another offender, of Russian nationality.

Head of investigations, Lieutenant Colonel Ormsin Sukkankha, revealed the arrest of Mr. Tlener Mikhail [53] a Russian national, believed to be involved with procuring and providing children for sexual services to visiting foreigners in Pattaya. Mr. Mikhail is also facing charges of committing indecent sexual acts with a minor.
Reportedly, Mr. Mikhail is a professional piano instructor who has been residing in Thailand for many years. He recently founded the “Music House Company” dedicated to teaching Thai and foreign students the art of piano and music. The company is based from his private residence in Pattaya.

Officers swooped to arrest Mr. Mikhail on Monday after investigations uncovered him as a suspect in a child prostitution network, following the arrest of Mr. Bunphasong on Sunday. He was arrested at the Euro Badminton Complex in Soi Nonghin, Banglamung. Using a warrant, officers proceeded to search the suspect’s residence, find several hundred files, photos and videos on his home computer of child pornography and images of indecent acts with underage children.
Police have now confiscated all evidence against Mr. Mikhail, who has himself been remanded in custody awaiting further investigations and judicial proceedings to commence. Officers believe that Mr. Mikhail was not only involved with committing sexual acts against minors but in the prostitution of young boys to other foreign clients visiting the area.