100 jailed as Pratamnak ‘pool club’ again raided for drug party

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More than 100 people, many of them underage, were arrested when police and soldiers raided another illegal pool party at a private Pratamnak Hill residence.
More than 100 people, many of them underage, were arrested when police and soldiers raided another illegal pool party at a private Pratamnak Hill residence.

More than 100 people, many of them underage, were arrested when police and soldiers raided another illegal pool party at a private Pratamnak Hill residence.

A force of 50 stormed the Cliff Pool Club on Soi Kasetsin for the second time in less than a year July 1 where both teenage and adult Thais and foreigners were hobnobbing and doing drugs with internet “idols” and musicians.

The “Ji Jaad Party” featured well-known Thai deejays brought together by Piyapong “DJ Bail” Phoinok, 33, who told police he was the organizer.

Chirapong Phromdam, 24, who claimed to the “pool club” manager, was arrested after being unable to present any permits for the commercial venture on private property.

Both were charged with opening an entertainment venue without a permit, allowing drug use on the property, serving minors and illegally advertising alcohol.

About 150 of the guests failed drug tests and an 18-year-old man was arrested for possession of three bottles of ketamine. In all, police confiscated 83 grams of ketamine, 80 ecstasy tablets and 90 other sedatives.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, the power failed just as officers stormed the premises, allowing many of the revelers to escape.

When police tried to pursue, they discovered the tires of their cars had been punctured and keys left in their armored vehicles stolen.

Banglamung District Chief Naris Niramaiwong said authorities learned of the illegal party through posts and advertisements by DJ Jeffy and DJ Kratai on Facebook.

The venue was the subject of a similar raid in Sept. 2017.