Three Thai women believed to have lured into the flesh trade in Bahrain were rescued from a locked room in a restaurant on Saturday.
Thai embassy officials and Interpol officers freed the women after Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn called for action after learning of the women's fate. The raid took place at 3.40pm local time in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
Officials gave few details but said the women had been persuaded to go to Bahrain to work at a restaurant in Manama. After 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 to seek help from her boyfriend in Thailand, who then alerted reporters, who in turn coordinated with the Foreign Ministry.
Gen Tanasak said on Saturday that the ministry was duty-bound to help Thais in trouble and immediately bring them back to the country.
Wikarnpong Kaikraikaew, the boyfriend of one of the women, thanked the foreign minister for the rescue operation.