Police warn of ‘foreign nightlife mafia’ after inspecting Bangkok pubs
Police warned of "foreign nightlife mafia" as they inspected six Bangkok pubs in the early hours of Tuesday in a crackdown on drugs, guns, and underage customers.
Deputy national police chiefs Torsak Sukvimol and Surachate Hakpal led the inspections by 200 tourist police ahead of the tourism high season.
The targeted venues were Space and K Bangkok on RCA; Hollywood, Brooz, and Asgard in Huai Khwang; and Baby Face in the Khlong Tan area.
Torsak warned that pubs where drugs, guns or underage patrons are found could have their licences revoked for five years.
He also said foreign investors are operating like mafia in Thailand’s nightlife sector, adding that police and immigration officials are working together to eliminate them.
He said police would be fair with pub operators over drug abuse. If tourists are found to have used drugs inside the venue after buying them outside, police would focus their efforts on tracing the origin. However, entertainment venues will be severely punished if drugs are sold inside, he added.
Surachate said police would be monitoring pubs owned not just by Chinese operators but also Thais.
He admitted to receiving tip-offs from former politician and massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit.
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