A Thai court sentenced a 30-year-old woman identified as Laksana to seven years and six months in prison for human trafficking and aiding prostitution. She forced her 12-year-old daughter to provide sexual services at a Tokyo massage parlor last year.
The Criminal Court of Thailand handed down the sentence on Monday after Laksana admitted to the charges. She and her daughter entered Japan in June last year. The girl, then 12, was forced to work at the parlor for about a month and provided services to around 60 customers.
Laksana told Kyodo News she took her daughter to Japan only to help care for her youngest baby boy while she worked. The girl later contacted Japan's Immigration Services Agency and was placed in protective custody.
The mother has not decided whether to appeal the verdict. In Thailand, sentences can be reduced for good behavior.
