Bangkok pub closed for 5 years after 120 patrons failed drug tests

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

A pub in Bangkok’s Ram Inthra area was ordered closed for five years as an initial penalty after it was found to have been operating with an expired license for the last three years, and more than 120 of its patrons failed drug screening late Saturday night.

A police source said that the raid on the “Sonic” pub was carried out after the Interior Ministry learned that the pub often stays open beyond the 2am legal closing time and that illegal drugs were available there.

Some customers tried to flee, but were rounded up by the officials. All 214 patrons in the premises at the time of the raid were searched and tested for drugs, which returned 122 positive results.  Officials found many “baggies” scattered on the floor, which are commonly used for the distribution of illegal recreational substances.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who was at the scene told the media that the pub has rooms specifically for customers who wish to take drugs.  Crystal meth, Ecstasy, Ketamine and “Happy Water” were found on the premises.

Happy Water is a colourless and odourless synthetic drug in liquid form, which is usually mixed with methamphetamine or Ketamine.

He also said that police will identify who the real owner of this venue is, adding the raid will not affect the government’s plan to extend licencing hours for entertainment establishments until 4am, effective December 15^th.

[PeterRS]

If this was not Thailand, the mind would boggle that any pub could remain operating for three full years without a licence!

[Lucky]

So just how widespread is drug use among the youth of Thailand?

[Keithambrose]

8 hours ago, PeterRS said:

If this was not Thailand, the mind would boggle that any pub could remain operating for three full years without a licence!

Depends on the brown enveloped I suppose. Pretty odd that the awful Anutin, now Interior Minister, 'happened ' to be there. Sounds like a set up.

[PeterRS]

4 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Pretty odd that the awful Anutin, now Interior Minister, 'happened ' to be there. Sounds like a set up.

Not really! Whenever there are major raids, one or other top politician will usually be there to ensure his photo is splashed in the media. I believe when Babylon was raided in the early 2000s, the minister which had implemented the Social Order Campaigns, Purachai, was seen in all the media photos and videos holding  up a used condom. It was, he claimed, proof that there had been naughty goings on inside. One comment somewhere claimed Anutin was a fool as the Minister for Health should have praised Babylon for the fact that patrons were actually using condoms and not indulging in bareback sex! After all, this was still a time when AIDS was on many lips.

Agree that Anutin is dreadful. His aim is to become Prime Minister and I believe he will do all possible to achive that.

[PeterRS]

Apologies! In line 4 of my post above I should have written Purachai and not Anutin.

[Keithambrose]

6 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Apologies! In line 4 of my post above I should have written Purachai and not Anutin.

I forgive you!

[PeterRS]