A Dutchman and a Thai woman were arrested for allegedly running an underage prostitution ring just metres away from a police station.

Joos Reijnaard, 77, and Prapaiporn English, 58, reportedly recruited both male and female minors to have sex with tourists in Thai 'Sin City' Pattaya.

The pair allegedly operated the brothel in a commercial building converted into a hotel, with most of their clients being holidaymakers in the Jomtien Beach area.

Officers raided the property on Thursday, following a tip-off from Dutch anti-human trafficking foundations.

Footage shows cops scouring the hotel, which was just 100 metres (330 feet) away from a police station. They rescued two 15-year-old boys and an 18-year-old Thai girl who were waiting to service customers.

The Dutchman was discovered drinking at a bar three blocks away, while Prapaiporn was caught along the nearby beach. They were arrested on suspicion of procurement, underage prostitution, and abduction of children aged under 15.

Thanakrit Jitareerat, a member of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's task force, said the operation was a joint effort of Dutch organisations Destiny Rescue, Scientia Project, Free a Girl from the Netherlands, and the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok.

He said: ‘I was extremely shocked especially since the prostitution was taking place less than 100 metres from the Pattaya City police sub-station. After this, we will hold discussions to find serious preventive measures.

‘I want to warn those groups who are secretly committing human trafficking crimes: there will be stringent measures going forward. If arrested in this kind of case, we will seize assets and charge them with money laundering.

‘Furthermore, I urge local officials to inspect hotel operators who are illegally facilitating crimes under the Hotel Act and to enforce regulations strictly. For example, in this case, the hotel operator is considered culpable for negligently allowing a child under the age of 15 to use their services.'

Officials said that Reijnaard was previously arrested in Thailand in late 2016 for human trafficking but was released due to lack of evidence. He was deported, but returned in 2017, allegedly bribing officials to let him slip back into Thailand through an illegal channel in Sa Kaeo province.

He then returned to Pattaya to allegedly revive his trafficking operation until his arrest.

Tourists are regularly attacked or caught up in crime, leading Pattaya to be dubbed 'Sin City'.

Embarrassed officials in the central government have launched tourism initiatives to attract families and rebrand Pattaya as a safe destination.

Authorities have also introduced safety measures, such as improved lighting and CCTV.

Despite some success in cleaning up the town's image, alcohol and sex remain its biggest draws, often leading to a high rate of crime and accidents.

Underage prostitution is rampant in Thailand despite government efforts to curb it through strict laws and enforcement initiatives. Driven by poverty, trafficking, and lack of education, vulnerable minors are sometimes forced into the sex industry to earn money.