Two Singaporeans arrested in Thailand over suspected transnational vice syndicate
Two Singaporean men and a Thai national have been arrested in Thailand for their alleged involvement in a transnational vice syndicate, following a joint operation between Singapore and Thai authorities.
- Two Singaporean men, aged 36 and 38, and a 50-year-old Thai man were arrested in Thailand on 17 June, 2025, in a joint SPF–RTP operation against a transnational vice syndicate.
- Assets worth more than 20 million baht were seized in Thailand, while S$1.26 million was frozen in Singapore.
- Authorities credit cross-border collaboration for dismantling the syndicate, which allegedly trafficked foreign women into Singapore’s vice trade.
Two Singaporean men were arrested in Thailand alongside a Thai national for their suspected roles in a transnational vice syndicate, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced on 19 June, 2025.
The arrests, carried out on 17 June, followed a joint cross-border operation between the SPF and the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Arrests and seizures
The suspects include two Singaporean men, aged 36 and 38, and a 50-year-old Thai man.
During the coordinated operation, Thai authorities seized assets worth more than 20 million baht (approximately S$790,600). These comprised cash in bank accounts and ownership of two condominium units.
When the suspects were apprehended, officers also seized laptops, mobile phones, hard drives, bank cards, and SIM cards believed to be connected to the syndicate’s activities.
Separately, the SPF froze more than S$1.26 million held in the Singapore bank accounts of the 38-year-old suspect, which investigators believe to be proceeds from prostitution and money laundering offences.
How the arrests unfolded
According to Thai news outlet Khaosod English, published on 18 June, one of the Singaporean suspects was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after arriving on a flight from Singapore.
Thai immigration police, acting on intelligence that a foreign national linked to prostitution and money laundering offences would be entering Thailand, intercepted the 38-year-old at the airport.
The Straits Times reported that the 36-year-old Singaporean was arrested separately at his residence in Thailand.
Background of the investigation
Authorities said investigations into the syndicate began in 2023. The group is alleged to have recruited foreign women and trafficked them into Singapore to participate in the vice trade.
Between April 2023 and May 2025, the SPF arrested at least 76 vice workers believed to be connected to the same network. These arrests provided key intelligence that enabled investigators to trace and identify the syndicate’s operations and members.
Roles of the suspects
The 38-year-old Singaporean is accused of orchestrating the transfer of prostitution proceeds from Singapore to Thailand using a complex structure of bank accounts designed to obscure financial trails.
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old allegedly supported the syndicate’s transnational operations, though his role is described as less central.
The 50-year-old Thai national is believed to have assisted in the syndicate’s local activities, including financial arrangements and the maintenance of property assets.
Authorities’ responses
Commenting on the arrests, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Yeo Yee Chuan, deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Department, highlighted the significance of regional collaboration.
“The SPF is committed to working closely with our regional partners, and we thank the RTP for their invaluable collaboration in dismantling this criminal network to prevent the exploitation of women, stem the scourge of transnational crimes and take affirmative actions against the laundering of criminal proceeds,” SAC Yeo said.
Thailand’s Police Lieutenant-General Jirabhop Bhuridej echoed these sentiments, noting the effectiveness of cross-border enforcement.
“The dedication and professionalism of the SPF and RTP officers were instrumental in the successful cross-border operational collaboration, which led to the apprehension of the transnational criminal syndicate,” he said.
Continuing investigations
Investigations into the full scope of the syndicate’s operations remain ongoing in both Singapore and Thailand. Authorities are seeking to determine the extent of the network’s activities, the flow of funds across borders, and whether additional individuals are involved.
Both the SPF and RTP have emphasised that operations of this scale highlight the growing need for intelligence-sharing and coordinated enforcement across jurisdictions.
The arrests also underscore Singapore’s continued emphasis on disrupting vice activities and financial crimes linked to transnational syndicates.
