3 bars in Thong Lor to be shuttered temporarily for Covid violations
Three nightspots in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area were hit with suspension orders for violations committed while the pandemic was at its peak.
The suspension orders were signed on Thursday by deputy National Police chief Pol General Roy Inkapairoj.
The three venues facing suspension are Otto Bar, Emerald Club and Krystal Club.
Otto Bar faces a 30-day temporary closure for selling booze without a licence. Police officers found seven customers drinking alcohol in the bar on November 3, 2019.
Emerald Club will be suspended for 60 days for violating the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Covid-19 prevention measures by failing to limit customers, not enforcing social distancing and not getting serving staff to wear masks. Police inspected the venue on April 1, 2021, and found customers being served food and booze, with live performances and dancing.
The club has 90 days to appeal the order at the Administration Court.
Krystal Club will also be suspended for 60 days and will have 90 days to appeal the order in court. Police officers found this club also violating Covid-19 prevention measures on March 30, 2021.
Both Emerald and Krystal clubs are believed to have sparked the third wave of Covid-19 infections in Bangkok and their managers were sentenced to two months in jail without suspension.
However, there is no information on whether charges were pressed against the clubs’ owners and executives.