PATTAYA, THAILAND – In a major crackdown on cybersex operations, Thai Immigration Police have arrested three Chinese men and two Laotian women for broadcasting explicit sex acts live from a luxury pool villa in Pattaya. The operation, allegedly aimed at a Chinese-speaking audience, was dismantled on Thursday, 7 August 2025, following a covert investigation.
Tip-Off Leads to Targeted Raid
Authorities from the Immigration Bureau received intelligence about a group of Chinese nationals allegedly producing and streaming pornographic content from a rented villa in Chon Buri province. Acting swiftly, officers tracked the suspected location to a high-end pool villa in Pattaya.
During the surprise raid, police found the five suspects in the midst of filming sexually explicit scenes, which were being broadcast in real-time via a Chinese-based social media platform.
The suspects were identified as:
- Hong, 48, Chinese national
- Zhi, 43, Chinese national
- Peng, 53, Chinese national
- Wan, 26, Laotian national
- Win, 24, Laotian national
Seized Equipment and Payment Scheme
Officers confiscated a range of evidence, including:
- Multiple sex toys
- Dozens of condoms
- Professional-grade video equipment
- More than ten mobile phones believed to be used for managing and streaming the shows
The Laotian women reportedly admitted to earning 3,000 baht per livestream, though authorities have not yet determined the total revenue generated from the broadcasts. Police believe the operation had been running for several months and may have served thousands of paying viewers online.
Charges and Legal Penalties
All five individuals are facing multiple charges under Thai law:
- Section 287(1) of the Criminal Code – Producing, possessing, or distributing obscene material (up to three years in prison and/or a 60,000-baht fine)
- Section 287(2) of the Criminal Code – Engaging in commercial distribution of obscene material (same penalties)
- Section 14(4) of the Computer Crimes Act – Importing obscene content into a computer system (up to five years in prison and/or a 100,000-baht fine)
Authorities confirmed that the suspects are now in police custody and will be processed through the Pattaya Provincial Court.
Not an Isolated Case
Police highlighted that Thailand has seen a surge in cases involving foreign nationals using the country as a base for online sex businesses targeting overseas viewers.
- In 2021, a Thai transgender woman was arrested for livestreaming sex acts with her partner via the LINE app.
- In July 2025, officers dismantled a Discord network broadcasting explicit videos of underage girls, arresting several members.
- Also in July, a Lop Buri teacher was caught secretly livestreaming upskirt videos during lessons.
Authorities have warned that Thailand’s cybercrime units are intensifying their efforts to combat illegal adult content production, particularly when it involves cross-border audiences and foreign operators.