Thai sex slaves freed

Three Thai women believed to have lured into the prostitution in Bahrain were rescued from a locked room in a restaurant yesterday.

Thai Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn called for action after learning of the women’s fate and the raid took place at 3.40pm in Manama.

Officials said the women were persuaded to go to Bahrain to work at a restaurant in Manama.

When they arrived, they were detained in a locked room that was closely guarded by men.

One of the women had sent a message via Line chat seeking help from her boyfriend in Thailand. He alerted reporters, who in turn coordinated with the Foreign Ministry.

Tanasak said the ministry was duty-bound to help Thais in trouble and immediately bring them back to the country.