Jasper Posted February 7, 2018 Posted February 7, 2018 By Alex Green For Mailonline British expats in the Thai beach resort of Pattaya have been caught up in another police crackdown after officers raided bars across the city. But instead of looking for drugs or illegal booze, officers were searching for dartboards - which they claimed were being used illegally by venues. The raids were concentrated around Soi 6, a street known for its brothels, bars and copious neon pink signs. One bewildered bar owner on the strip reported police demanding to see a 'dartboard license'. When they were unable to produce the appropriate documentation police confiscated their dartboards, reports Thai Visa. When they enquired as to how they could apply for a license they were told the license did not exist. The current entertainment license required by bars in Pattaya does not cover darts, staff were informed. This meant that bars had been illegally letting patrons play darts on their premises. The crackdown also resulted in the suspension of Pattaya’s popular amateur darts league - frequented by many of the city's expats. The event's organisers took up the matter with officials at Pattaya City Hall and contacted the Thailand Darts Association to seek clarification on the matter. This is not the first time the Thai government has clamped down on apparently innocuous pursuits enjoyed by expats. In 2016, police raided the Jomtien and Pattaya Bridge Club and arrested dozen elderly British nationals - including a former Honorary Consul. Over 50 police officers and military volunteers raided the club arresting 32 foreigners, and holding them until 3am. Despite not playing for money, Thai police say the bridge club broke the law by 'possessing more than 120 playing cards at one time'. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5353037/amp/Thai-police-raid-darts-club-crackdown-British-expats.html ChristianPFC 1 Quote
biguyby Posted February 7, 2018 Posted February 7, 2018 You couldn’t make up some of the stupid stuff that goes on in Thailand. vinapu 1 Quote
vinapu Posted February 7, 2018 Posted February 7, 2018 One bewildered bar owner on the strip reported police demanding to see a 'dartboard license'. When they enquired as to how they could apply for a license they were told the license did not exist. The current entertainment license required by bars in Pattaya does not cover darts, staff were informed. all the best to Pattaya police in their efforts to convert city to a family destination. Question is only who in their sound mind will be dragging wife and kids to a place with certain reputation and now known for frequent police raids . Biguyby is right above, some of that stuff couldn't be invented other than under influence of liquid substances biguyby 1 Quote
bucky13 Posted February 7, 2018 Posted February 7, 2018 There's obviously a motivation surrounding this strange crackdown. From those of you that know something about Thai politics, tourism issues, culture, religion and otherwise, WHAT are those motivations? I'm curious to know some of the reasoning behind the core intent. Quote
