CHIANG MAI, Thailand – A pub on Huay Kaew Road in Chiang Mai has reportedly resumed normal operations less than a week after police raided the venue and proposed a five-year closure, prompting complaints that underage customers are still being allowed inside and served alcohol.
On October 30, officers from Chang Phueak Police Station carried out an operation called “Clean Up the Graveyard” during Halloween festivities, following complaints that the pub was admitting minors.
During the inspection, police found hundreds of people under the age of 20 inside the premises, allegedly drinking alcohol. Officers also discovered that the venue was operating without the required entertainment establishment license.
The operator was initially charged with establishing an entertainment venue without a license and selling alcoholic beverages to people under 20. Police also submitted a proposal to the relevant administrative authorities to prohibit the premises from operating as an entertainment venue for five years.
However, on November 5, local residents reportedly contacted the media to complain that the pub had reopened and was continuing to admit underage customers and sell them alcohol.
Residents are calling on the relevant authorities to investigate whether the venue is legally permitted to resume operations despite the recent police action and proposed five-year closure.
