PATTAYA, Thailand – Thai police have stepped up efforts against illegal online crime with a recent raid in Pattaya that broke up a sex livestream ring run by Chinese nationals.
On August 7, officers from the Immigration Bureau acted on a tip and entered a high-end pool villa in central Pattaya. During the operation, three Chinese men – Hong, 48, Zhi, 43, and Peng, 53 – and two Laotian women, Wan, 26, and Win, 24, were arrested.
The group was found hosting explicit livestream sessions on a Chinese social media platform. Viewers paid to watch and even sent extra fees to direct the show’s content.
A team from Immigration Division 3, working with the Eastern Investigation Unit under Deputy Superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Ithithon Prasertsak, uncovered several pieces of evidence. Police collected sex toys, condoms and professional livestream gear, including several mobile phones and lighting equipment.
Officials said the Laotian women earned 3,000 baht each per broadcast, about USD 93, but the total revenue from the operation has not been made public. The group faces serious legal consequences under Thai law, including charges under Section 287 of the Criminal Code for producing and sharing obscene content, punishable by up to three years in jail and a 60,000 baht fine.
They are also accused of violating Section 14(4) of the Computer Crimes Act, which prohibits importing sexual material onto computer systems, carrying up to five years in prison and a 100,000 baht fine.
Illegal sex businesses in Thailand
This case is one of several involving Chinese nationals operating illegal sex businesses in Thailand, often taking advantage of tourism services and accommodation. In April 2025, two Chinese citizens, Oh Zhihang, 67, and Lin Tingting, 37, were arrested for recording themselves having sex in public at the entrance to Pattaya’s Walking Street, a well-known red-light area.
The pair had set up a camera on a public pavement. They claimed not to know they were breaking Thai law. Oh, who described himself as a photographer with a taste for nude shoots, apologized for any harm to Pattaya’s image. He still faced charges under Section 388 of the Penal Code for committing indecent acts in public, a crime that can also bring fines and jail time.
Reports of similar behaviour by Chinese visitors continue to worry locals and police. Incidents of public sex acts on beaches or in other public places happen often. Videos of such acts are shared online and have led Thai police to act fast, seeing these violations as a risk to both public morals and Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming, family-friendly destination.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chairit, who oversaw the latest Pattaya case, stressed that these actions break Thai law and harm the country’s name. He said the Immigration Police are determined not to let these crimes go unpunished.
Thailand continues to take strong action against online adult content. The Computer Crimes Act, designed to fight online crime, plays a big part in cracking down on illegal pornographic materials. The Pattaya operation is part of an ongoing effort to control the spread of adult material on the internet, especially on foreign-run networks that use short-term luxury rentals for illegal purposes.
Thailand’s Computer Crimes Act
Authorities have previously broken up other groups using apps and online platforms to reach viewers abroad. In 2021, a Thai transwoman was arrested for livestreaming sexual acts on the LINE app. More recently, in July 2025, police dismantled a Discord channel that showed videos involving minors.
To further limit access to pornographic material, the Thai government blocked popular adult sites like Pornhub in 2020. The ban, enforced under the Computer Crimes Act, fits with national policy to protect public morals and block the exploitation of vulnerable people.
However, blocking these sites has led to debates about internet rights, since many people use VPNs to get around the ban. Still, police and cyber units continue to ramp up their focus, tracking down offenders and breaking up foreign-led groups that use Thailand to target customers overseas.
The surge in foreign-run online sex operations highlights a trend that worries officials. In December 2022, Pattaya police shut down another group led by Chinese nationals running a live porn business out of a condo. In Chiang Rai, six Chinese men were caught filming and streaming sexual content from a homestay.
In 2023, 14 Chinese nationals received a total sentence of 50 years in prison for tricking local youths into making sex videos. These cases show that these networks are organized, using high-quality equipment and complex links to avoid detection by local authorities.
Chinese Couple on Wlaking Street
The impact of these crimes goes beyond the legal system. Thailand’s tourism industry relies on its reputation for safety and respect. Sexual acts in public and illegal online content risk turning visitors away and damaging the country’s image.
The public arrest of the Chinese couple on Walking Street made headlines and highlighted the confusion that some tourists have about Thai laws and culture. Authorities are now encouraging visitors to learn about local laws before arriving, making it clear that ignorance won’t protect anyone from legal action.
Looking ahead, the government plans to tighten control of short-term holiday rentals and work more closely with police abroad to stop cross-border online crime. The recent Pattaya raid sends a strong signal: breaking public decency laws and distributing obscene content online will lead to tough penalties, no matter where offenders come from.
At present, the five suspects from the villa raid are being held as the case moves forward at Pattaya Provincial Court. Police are reviewing seized devices for links to other criminal activity.
This case highlights both Thailand’s determination to protect its digital and public spaces and the challenges of balancing tourism, local customs, and law enforcement in an increasingly connected age.
