At 3 am on the13th of July Senior Pattaya Police offices and Local Government Officials led by the Chief of Banglamung District with a large contingent of enforcement officials conducted Raids on three entertainment venues in the North Pattaya area: The Hollywood Discotheque, The Tawana Pub and The MC Pub.
Since it is the weekend the venues were thronged with revellers both Thai and foreigners
There was much confusion and consternation amongs the cornered revellers but the police and officials were determined to carry out their respective tasks.
Officers cordoned off the entrances and instructed the DJ's to turn off the music and the bands on stage to stop playing.
The police had Two main objectives:
1. To check the identity of the patrons and staff in the establisments
2. To check for illegal possession of drugs and firearms
Police and immigration officials then proceeded with their tasks. Everyone was required to show some form of identification and then males and females were seperated and instructed to produce a sample of urine for testing to see if they had consumed any illegal substances.
As a result of these inspections it was found that at all three of the venues offenses were being commited. Identy checks showed a number of under age patrons and staff as well as a number of foreign customers not carrying the correct documentation and passports. Initial drug tests of both males and females showed positive for illegal substances at the scene and will be sent to Banglamung Hospital for further testing and confirmation before prosecution of the offenders can be instigated.
Mr. (Chai Hong Tang) Banglamung Sheriff said that he was working under the direct orders of the Governor of Chonburi. who has instructed all authorities in the province to check entertainment places for illegal activities.
Pattaya has many entertainment places attracting a large number of young Thais and of course many foreign visitors looking for a good night out However stringent ongoing checks will be made to curb illegal activity as it is well known that in these places the consuming of illegal drugs is commonplace and this must be stopped for the benefit of the patrons and for society in general.
