Thai mother jailed for seven years over trafficking of 12-year-old daughter to Japan
A Bangkok court has sentenced a Thai mother to seven-and-a-half years in prison after she trafficked her 12-year-old daughter to Japan and forced her into prostitution at a Tokyo massage parlour.
- Bangkok court jails 30-year-old mother seven-and-a-half years for trafficking daughter, aged 12, to Japan.
- Girl escaped Tokyo sex parlour in September and remains under Pavena Hongsakun Foundation's care.
- Mother arrested in Taiwan, extradited to Thailand, and convicted on multiple human trafficking charges.
The Criminal Court in Bangkok on Monday sentenced a 30-year-old Thai mother to seven years and six months in prison after convicting her of trafficking her 12-year-old daughter to Japan and forcing the child into prostitution at a Tokyo massage parlour.
The woman, publicly identified only by her first name Lucksana, also known as Preaw, is from Phetchabun province. She was found guilty of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit human trafficking, procuring a child for sexual exploitation, and related prostitution offences under the Criminal Code and the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act.
The judgment was delivered in Courtroom 905 at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road. Prosecutors from the Special Public Prosecutor's Office for Human Trafficking Cases 3 brought the charges.
Mother confesses, prompting court to halve combined 15-year sentence
Judges initially imposed a combined prison term of 15 years. The court sentenced the defendant to five years for conspiracy to commit human trafficking and 10 years for procuring or assisting another person's prostitution. Applying Section 91 of the Criminal Code, judges adopted the most severe applicable punishment.
However, the court accepted the defendant's full confession during proceedings as a mitigating circumstance. The total sentence was reduced by half, resulting in the final term of seven years and six months. The court also ordered the confiscation of a mobile phone linked to the offences.
According to the judgment, the crimes took place between June and September last year. The defendant brought her daughter to Japan under the pretence of a tourist trip. She then handed the child over to the owner of a massage parlour in Tokyo. The court found that the establishment also offered sexual services.
Girl escapes Tokyo parlour, seeks help from Japanese immigration authorities
The child was forced into prostitution at the parlour while her mother remained in Japan before departing for Taiwan. The girl was left behind at the establishment for several months.
In mid-September, the victim escaped and presented herself to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, seeking protection. Japanese officials immediately placed her under their care. She was subsequently transferred to Thailand, where she has remained under the protection of the Pavena Hongsakun Foundation for Children and Women.
Meanwhile, investigators traced the defendant to Taiwan. Authorities arrested her in New Taipei City in November for overstaying her visa. She was extradited to Thailand in December to face trial.
Defendant had no prior criminal record, court notes before ordering immediate imprisonment
Before sentencing, the court noted that the defendant had no prior criminal convictions. Evidence presented during proceedings showed she had previously worked overseas as a masseuse, earning between 50,000 and 80,000 baht per trip. Despite these findings, the court ordered her immediate imprisonment following sentencing.
The victim continues to receive care and support from the Pavena Hongsakun Foundation. The case is among the most prominent recent child trafficking prosecutions in Thailand and highlights the vulnerability of minors to exploitation even within family units.
