Khao San bar raid finds 30 underage patrons and suspected bribe records

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee led a raid on OK Bar on Bangkok’s Khao San Road on October 10, 2026, and said officers found accounts recording suspected payments to officials of nearly 180,000 baht a month. Authorities also reported finding 30 patrons below the legal entry age of 20, including a 15-year-old.

The Department of Provincial Administration’s special operations unit entered the venue at 3.30am local time under an operation named “Sing Phadet Suek”. The bar is in Talat Yot subdistrict, Phra Nakhon district, about 100 metres from Chana Songkhram police station.

OK Bar accounts prompt inquiry into suspected official payments

Polapee said investigators would examine suspected monthly payments recorded in OK Bar’s accounts to establish which agencies and individuals were involved.

The minister said the accounts listed ordinary expenses, including staff wages, drinks and purchases, alongside a final column labelled “payments to all agencies”, totalling approximately 180,000 baht a month.

“I asked the cashier, who said these were monthly payments made every month. The bar has been operating for more than two years. We will investigate further to establish which agencies ‘all agencies’ refers to,” Polapee said.

Polapee also said preliminary information identified the woman believed to run or own OK Bar only as “Jae K.” An inspector or deputy inspector at Chana Songkhram police station had told him she was married to a police officer, but had not disclosed her husband’s name.

Officials report underage patrons and positive drug screens at OK Bar

Ronnarong Thipsiri, deputy director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, said officials found 30 people under 20 at OK Bar, with the youngest aged 15. His detailed account also reported 31 positive urine drug-screening results.

In his initial remarks, Polapee had put the number of patrons at more than 200, including more than 20 below the permitted age, and referred to three positive drug tests.

Ronnarong’s account listed nine findings from the raid:

1. OK Bar allegedly operated without an entertainment venue licence.
2. The venue allegedly sold alcohol outside legally permitted hours.
3. Officials found 30 patrons under 20, comprising 20 males and 10 females, including one 15-year-old.
4. Officials reported 31 positive urine drug-screening results, identifying four people under 20 and two DJs among those testing positive.
5. Officers found one firearm and ammunition.
6. Officers found one imitation firearm.
7. Suspected drugs and plastic tubes believed to have contained drugs were found discarded inside the bar, with white powder resembling drugs on the toilet floor.
8. Laughing-gas balloons and equipment were found discarded throughout the premises.
9. Accounts allegedly recorded payments to several agencies exceeding 177,000 baht a month.

Polapee said officers also found electronic cigarettes at OK Bar. He said laughing gas was sold for approximately 300 baht per tube, and the bar’s accounts for October 3 recorded sales of 161 boxes containing 12 tubes each.

Complaints led to undercover checks at OK Bar

The Interior Ministry launched the operation after receiving complaints that OK Bar remained open beyond permitted hours and admitted people under 20. Department of Provincial Administration investigators made several undercover visits before the raid, with the latest checks identifying suspected legal violations.

Ronnarong joined the operation alongside Pol Sub-Lt Singkham Khamyod, director of the Investigation and Legal Affairs Bureau, and Rueanglak Rueangyangmi, director of the Volunteer Defence Corps Administration Bureau. Administrative officers and Volunteer Defence Corps members also took part.

Polapee said two police officers were among the patrons at OK Bar, while a navy serviceman was among approximately seven security guards at the venue.

Officials prepare five-year closure request for OK Bar

Polapee said the Department of Provincial Administration would ask the Metropolitan Police commissioner to order OK Bar closed immediately for five years.

The minister said eight charges had been brought against the bar’s manager. Ronnarong confirmed that administrative officers had detained the manager and handed the suspect over to police investigators for further proceedings.

Polapee said officials would compile additional evidence for investigators to pursue others involved. He also warned that an electrical short circuit or fire could leave large numbers of patrons unable to escape quickly, putting lives at risk and damaging Thailand’s tourism image.

Young people who tested positive for drugs at OK Bar would enter the treatment process under the relevant procedures, Polapee said.