Former Female Police Officer Arrested for Operating Cat Spa Front for Child Sexual Exploitation
A former female police officer and two accomplices were arrested for operating a cat spa that trafficked at least seven minors for sexual exploitation in Bangkok, generating over 20 million baht across seven years of operation.
On May 2, 2025, police units led by Deputy Police Commissioner Withaya Sriprasertsap coordinated with officers including Nathpol Daowian, Chakraphat Klin-on, and Parsawasdee Khloayrab to arrest three suspects: former female police officer Wey Kanya Phat, 33; her husband Thawatchai, 32; and Yu-adee, 38, on human trafficking charges.
The investigation began when officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division, working with the International Protection Alliance and Our Rescue Thailand foundation, rescued a 16-year-old victim named Kuang (alias). She revealed that since June 2023, she had been forced into sexual services at the "cat bathing" spa operated by Wey Kanya Phat and Thawatchai, with Yu-adee managing daily operations and recruiting victims.
The shop employed 22 people in sexual services, approximately 7-8 of whom were minors under 18. Workers were required to serve about 7 clients daily for 30 days to receive monthly wages. Those who displeased clients faced verbal abuse and physical beatings. When workers were menstruating and selected by clients, they were forced to use foam inserts to continue providing services.
Investigators discovered the business had been operating for 7 years with 10 related bank accounts holding over 20 million baht in circulation. The cat spa operated as a front with minimal legitimate customers and later relocated operations to a residential home. Police obtained search warrants and recovered mobile phones, electronic devices, over 500 condoms, and foam inserts.
Upon questioning, Wey Kanya Phat and Thawatchai confessed to operating the business, accepting clients both online and walk-ins, with daily net income between 7,000-20,000 baht. Yu-adee, the manager earning 35,000 baht monthly, admitted working there for 5 years after transitioning from massage therapy. Investigators identified an additional victim—identified as Wey Kanya Phat's granddaughter who began working at age 17 for 20,000 baht monthly. Both victims were referred for protective services while the three suspects face prosecution.
