BANGKOK, Thailand — Bangkok police inspected nine entertainment venues in Huai Khwang district overnight, focusing on operating licenses, alcohol sales and compliance with the legal midnight closing time. Pol. Col. Kampol Rattanapratheep, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1 serving as acting superintendent of Huai Khwang Police Station, led officers in an operation targeting entertainment venues, including establishments suspected of links to Chinese capital, nominee businesses and illicit networks.
This week, authorities are focusing on 41 pub-style establishments considered to require closer monitoring, particularly their alcohol-selling and entertainment licenses. These venues have been assessed and classified into red- and yellow-risk categories.
Officials said venues found to be operating legally and with no links to drugs or human trafficking could have their risk levels subsequently reduced. Under the latest operation, officers planned inspections of nine venues, comprising four in the yellow zone and five in the red zone.
During the initial inspections, officers visited three establishments, including Juke and Baan Bar Lao, as well as a nearby venue. At Juke, officers found that the establishment had neither an alcohol sales license nor an entertainment venue license. The owner reportedly said applications for the licenses were still being processed.
Police said an application in progress does not permit a venue to operate before approval has been granted. Officers therefore arrested the operator and initiated legal proceedings. No serious violations were found at the other two venues during the initial checks. However, some documents, including district office permit-related paperwork and commercial registration documents, were not available for inspection at the time.
The operators said the documents were valid but had been kept elsewhere. Police coordinated with the relevant crime-prevention and suppression unit for the documents to be presented to officials later. Authorities also warned all venues to strictly stop serving and close by midnight. Any establishment found continuing to operate beyond the legal closing time will face arrest and prosecution without exception.
