Man caught procuring boys for foreigners in Pattaya

Yotsapon "James" Surawichai, 33, on crutches, looks at four underage boys he allegedly procured for male foreigners in Pattaya after his arrest on charges of human trafficking and possessing illicit drugs, at Pattaya police station on Tuesday night. (Photo by Chaiyot Phuttanapong)

CHON BURI - A 33-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly procuring underage boys for American and European male tourists visiting Pattaya.

Yotsapon "James’’ Surawichai was apprehended at a rented room in South Pattaya area, tambon Nong Preu of Bang Lamung district, around 9pm on Tuesday by a police team led by Pol Col Kreetha Tankhanarat of Police Region 2.

Police also found a small amount of crystal methamphetamine and unused condoms in the room.

The arrest came after police sent a foreign informant posing as a customer to contact Mr Yotsapon to buy sex from boys. The price was set at 8,000 baht. When the suspect showed up at the room with four boys, aged 14-16, and received the money from the customer, he was arrested.

Mr Yotsapon admitted to having served as a sex agent to procure boys for male foreigners, mostly American and European tourists, said police.

The sex service fee for each boy was 2,000 baht and he would give 500-1,000 baht to each boy providing the service. He kept the remaining money as his fee.

He told police he looked for boys on beaches and online games shops and lured them into the flesh trade.

The suspect had a criminal record, having served jail terms on human trafficking and drug charges, and was released from prison about three months ago.

The suspect claimed he had to return to the human trafficking circle as he needed money to finance his medical expenses for a broken leg from a road accident.

Police pressed nine counts against the suspect, including human trafficking by procuring boys for customers and possessing illicit drugs. He was handed over to Pattaya police station for legal action.