Workers arrested in Sharjah for 'obscene massages'

Twelve people were arrested in Sharjah at Thai massage parlours as police clamp down on illegal obscene practices.

SHARJAH // Twelve people including ten women have been arrested during sting operations at two Thai massage parlours in the emirate.

Police raided the first of the parlours on Tuesday and arrested eight people, including six masseuses. They identified the male owners of the salon as Guenaell S and Russell D from Bangladesh. All of the women arrested were from Thailand.

Clients reportedly paid Dh150 for an hour-long therapeutic massage at the parlour. The women would then suggest to their clients the idea of a more intimate act they called 'the special' for an additional Dh100.

In a second sting the following day, police arrested four women at another massage parlour where they say men were receiving "obscene massages" for Dh150.

The raids are part of what police describe as a campaign to "halt illegal obscene practices" that contradict the country's religion and culture.

A spokesman said the campaign had started after CID received repeated tip-offs about illegal practices at parlours. In the UAE, it is illegal for female spa employees to work on male clients - regardless of whether the massage is therapeutic or more exotic in nature.

Sharjah Police have appealed to the public to call them and give any useful information about other parlours involved in similar bad practices.