Police raid Hero
 

Gay spa raided in Bangkok
Published: 21/03/2012 at 01:27 PM Online news: Local News 0
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Police last night raided a gay spa in Bangkok and arrested its owner and manager for allegedly operating an illegal adult entertainment business and supplying prostitutes.

Police said on Wednesday three undercover agents were sent to "Hero" spa on Sukhumvit Road in Wattana district. The first agent paid 600 baht to buy a one-hour massage service while the other two waited in the lounge.

The first agent went into a room with a male masseur, who talked the agent into having sex with him. After they agreed on a 1,000-baht fee the agent signalled a team of officers to make the arrest immediately.

Spa owner Dechmaitree Pornsuksirikul, 51, and manager Jaturong Palakawongse na Ayudhya, 34, were arrested.

Police also seized used condoms that were being sold at the spa.

Dechmaitree told investigators that he had opened the spa 10 years ago. The massage business turned into a gay spa because his staff did not earn enough money, he said.

The owner said he told the masseurs not to have sexual intercourse with their clients, but said he believed Thai society should accept prostitution as a legitimate business.

During the raid, police found a number of clients and about 30 masseurs in many rooms. They took drug tests and one of them tested positive.

One of the masseurs was also an illegal immigrant, police said.

They were selling used condoms???

someone did not get his tea money in time

Yup........

Hears hoping its back in business for my June trip. Its my favourite spot in Bangkok.

On quiet reflection I recall being in Bangkok some years ago when Babylon was raided. Urine samples from all present etc. It was widely publicised including the Bangkok Post including photos. Should I add that mercifully I was not there at time. Stating the obvious the Babylon is still going strong.

Aren't those rather hi-so names?

Not necessarily.

Raids usually happen when the authorities are not satisfied with their corruption money received from the operators.

I understood that use of 'na' in a Thai name - as in Jaturong Palakawongse na Ayudhya - usually indicates a distant connection to royalty

So distant as to be meaningless in most cases. I had a Thai teacher who was a na Ayutthaya -- there are tens of thousands of them. Some rich, some poor. One shouldn't assume much based on the name.

Any further news on Hero? Has it reopened?

Closed last night, Monday 26.03.2012, 1800, all the lights out.

Lots of talk (speculation) but from all I spoke to no one knows nothin

If was just a case of tea money, they'll be shut for 30 days penance and then if "commissions" agreed, back in business again.

I heard they were going to open again today.