BANGKOK – Mega brothels are causing Bangkok to sink by illegally usinggroundwater for “soapy massages”, according to Thai police.

Detectives are investigating whether water was stolen by more than 40 soapymassage parlours – massive brothels with private bathrooms where customersreceive sexual services.

The crackdown began after underage sex workers were discovered during ahuman trafficking raid.

In that operation, officers discovered evidence that groundwater was beingstolen so brothels could avoid paying utility bills – as well as a ledgerlisting bribes to officials.

Environmental experts say the practice is making Bangkok, already alow-lying city, sink.

Suwat Inthasit, deputy commander of Natural Resources and Environment CrimeSuppression Division, said: “Today we will examine the water quality ofeach room we will go inside.”

One of the brothels he suspected of illegally using groundwater was theEmbassy Entertain massage parlour, which lies in a notoriously seedydistrict.[image: Bangkok police raided 40 brothels]Image:More than 40 brothels suspected of stealing groundwater were raided

Experts warn parts of Bangkok will be underwater by 2030 because of risingsea levels and groundwater draining into the capital’s swampy soil.

The practice of draining groundwater began when the city went through aperiod of intense development several decades ago.

In recent years, attempts to regulate groundwater usage has dramaticallyslowed Bangkok’s sinking rate.

At its peak, the capital was sinking at about 10cm a year in the late 1970s.[image: Groundwater Resources staff marked water samples during the raid]Image:Experts warn parts of Bangkok will be underwater by 2030

Prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, however it is widelytolerated and openly practiced.

Brothels are common in many parts of Bangkok – and no attempts are made tocover up their dealings.

Bribes and loopholes keep the industry afloat, with police largely turninga blind eye.