Scandal in Thailand: Chinese prisoners caught with prostitutes

Two Chinese prostitutes were discovered in a secret room of a Thai prison with Chinese inmates.

The Thai Ministry of Justice is investigating a growing scandal at the Bangkok Remand Prison, after prison officials allegedly allowed Chinese inmates to enjoy privileged living conditions.

This scandal involves the arrival of two Chinese models in an air-conditioned secret room in the basement to provide them with sexual services.

Chinese inmates already known to benefit from special conditions

Prisoners in a Thai prison. Photos: British tourist

These revelations come as several recent investigations have highlighted abnormal privileges granted to certain wealthy inmates in Thai prisons.

Inspections conducted over the past few months have shown that some of them enjoyed a real VIP treatment, with illegal access to electrical appliances, portable air conditioners, communication tools or reserved spaces.

Several reports also mention the existence of secret passages, privileged access hours, and internal complicity allowing these wealthy detainees to obtain living conditions significantly superior to those of the Thai prison system.

The authorities claim they now want to put an end to these practices and strengthen surveillance of detainees considered 'influential'.

See also: The terrifying ordeal of a Briton in a Thai prison

A secret room discovered with two Chinese models

Bangkok Remand Prison.

Justice Minister Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat said on Friday, November 21, 2025:

"A rapid intervention team conducted raids inside the prison for five consecutive days after receiving information about professional misconduct involving a group of Chinese detainees."

During a raid on November 16 in Zone 8, the most populous part of the prison with over 900 detainees, agents discovered two Chinese women.

They were described as models or 'pretty girls' and were found in a restricted-access underground room with two Chinese prisoners.

Contraband material found in the prohibited zone

Warning sign "Forbidden Zone" displayed in building 8 of Bangkok's preventive prison.

Authorities also found boxes of condoms and a whole series of contraband items, including electrical appliances, portable air conditioners and large quantities of lighters.

“Throughout my years of service, I have never seen inmates exert such influence inside a prison,” Rutthaphon, a former senior police officer, told reporters.

“It's completely unacceptable.

It undermines the entire judicial system. It's shameful.”

Prison director and 14 officials transferred

Thai Justice Minister, Rutthaphon Naowarat.

The Department of Corrections has since transferred the director of Bangkok's preventive prison, Manop Chomchuen, and 14 other officials pending an investigation.

A high-ranking source told Matichon Online that a review of immigration records revealed that Manop had frequently traveled abroad during his tenure, particularly to Macao.

Rutthaphon said that about 200 Chinese nationals were incarcerated in this facility.

Two inmates suspected of orchestrating these irregularities were identified and transferred to another prison.

The two Chinese women allegedly entered through normal access points, escorted by staff, and did not use the paths reserved for visitors.

Images deleted, officials compromised: investigation widens

Thailand prison. Photo: Bangkok Post

Investigators are also working to recover deleted CCTV footage.

Some files have already been restored, including images of inmates walking in areas they were not allowed to enter.

Seven officers stationed between the main entrance and the basement are under investigation, Rutthaphon said.

The ministry has assigned officials from the Special Investigation Department and the Thai Anti-Money Laundering Office to assist in the investigation.

Authorities also inspected a refurbished guard room located above the basement, which was allegedly used by inmates during the incident.

Mr. Rutthaphon said he would personally inspect the site on November 22 and ordered all prisons in the country to monitor so-called 'VIP' inmates to prevent similar abuses from happening again.

See also:

Tourist Prisons: Thailand's Surprising New Attraction

He wanted a dream retirement in Thailand, he ended up ruined and imprisoned

Thailand tourist's nightmare: jailed for expired visa

7 years in the hell of the “Bangkok Hilton” prison in Thailand

Prostitution in Thailand: What you need to know

Source: Khaosod English