reader Posted December 14 Posted December 14 From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The past six months have witnessed a huge after-dark suppression policy which has involved thousands of police and dozens of entertainment spots nationwide. The ongoing operation is part of the “5-Free” policy trying to ensure that nightery venues are child-free, drug-free, weapons-free, prostitution-free and safe. The categories were formally adopted as government policy last September. The policy was first announced by interior minister Anutin Charnvirakul whose deputies have even supervised some of the police raids. These included the closing of a pub in Pattaya after over 200 customers were found to have purple urine, indicating drugs use such as ketamine and methamphetamines. Although the campaign has been national, Pattaya seems to have borne the brunt with over 20 known raids on licensed premises. In most cases the authorities had been informed by “concerned citizens”, a group which likely included business enemies as well as worthy opponents of moral turpitude. What’s new about the 2024 crackdown is the large variety of police and civilian agencies attending the scene. They have included local, provincial and immigration police as well as Bangkok-based units such as the anti-trafficking police and the Central Investigation Bureau. These have been accompanied by senior officers of the civilian Department of Employment and the Department of Provincial Administration. The latter is responsible for the licensing of all clubs in a particular district. This inter-agency cooperation, unprecedented in its evolving scope, has been encouraged by Cabinet members who are keen to see a “cleaner” image for Pattaya in particular. Most of the 1,500 or so individuals arrested in these Pattaya raids were Thais, but around 300 foreigners, including westerners, were found to have recently used drugs. A handful were arrested for working without a permit, mainly bar staff, but these were usually from neighboring countries (with the exception of a solitary British DJ). Other club-related offences included being open after permitted hours, firearms in the car park, online gambling, failure to obtain a music licence and. In one case, accompanying unsavory characters. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattayas-anti-drugs-crackdown-in-night-clubs-is-intensifying-483587 Quote
vinapu Posted December 14 Posted December 14 9 hours ago, reader said: The ongoing operation is part of the “5-Free” policy trying to ensure that nightery venues are child-free, drug-free, weapons-free, prostitution-free and safe. if done right it may turn out to be "6-free " with tourists added to the mix highlighted bkkmfj2648, reader, 10tazione and 1 other 4 Quote
Raposa Posted December 15 Posted December 15 6 hours ago, vinapu said: if done right it may turn out to be "6-free " with tourists added to the mix highlighted There’s a lot of monuments and temples in Pattaya to keep tourists occupied so you don’t really need a bar scene 😜 pong2 1 Quote
vinapu Posted December 15 Posted December 15 30 minutes ago, Raposa said: There’s a lot of monuments and temples in Pattaya to keep tourists occupied so you don’t really need a bar scene 😜 for 3 days , yes Raposa 1 Quote
bkkmfj2648 Posted December 15 Posted December 15 40 minutes ago, Raposa said: There’s a lot of monuments and temples in Pattaya to keep tourists occupied so you don’t really need a bar scene 😜 All of this is so bizzare to me when you know the historical story of how Pattaya was transformed from a sleepy small fishing village into one of the sex capitals of the world. Just ask some of the 400,000 military personnel that were sent to Pattaya for R&R (Rest and Relaxation) during the nearby wars in the 1960s and 1970s. How many orgasms were released in that period - and hence "seeded" this industry that we see today in Pattaya? And was it not the Thai government that ok'd and facilitated this arrangement back in the 1960s and 1970s? Ruthrieston and pong2 2 Quote
Foolish Posted December 15 Posted December 15 2 hours ago, Raposa said: There’s a lot of monuments and temples in Pattaya to keep tourists occupied so you don’t really need a bar scene 😜 I could complete them in 2 days and then I won't be coming back haha Raposa 1 Quote
vinapu Posted December 15 Posted December 15 10 hours ago, Foolish said: I could complete them in 2 days and then I won't be coming back haha Nong Nooch Gardens and Sanctuary of Truth are , I'd say world class attractions, there's also Wat Siem with only original Terracota Warrior outside of China. 10tazione, Vessey, reader and 1 other 4 Quote
reader Posted Tuesday at 10:44 AM Author Posted Tuesday at 10:44 AM It's not prostitution that deters would-be tourists. Common street crimes have been on the rise but authorities seem content to maintain their "reactive" role in responding after the fact rather than develop a "proactive" stance that heads of street violence. The areas where robberies and physical attacks are most common are well known. All too often offenders pay a minor fine and find themselves back on the streets to pick up where they left off. It's a formula for recidivism. floridarob, vinapu and bkkmfj2648 3 Quote
Keithambrose Posted 17 hours ago Posted 17 hours ago On 12/17/2024 at 10:44 AM, reader said: It's not prostitution that deters would-be tourists. Common street crimes have been on the rise but authorities seem content to maintain their "reactive" role in responding after the fact rather than develop a "proactive" stance that heads of street violence. The areas where robberies and physical attacks are most common are well known. All too often offenders pay a minor fine and find themselves back on the streets to pick up where they left off. It's a formula for recidivism. I assume that the offenders pay off the BIB? Quote