After Patong bar bust, police on the prowl for human trafficking in Pattaya (video)

After the Patong bar bust that made headlines last week, police are on the prowl for human trafficking in Pattaya. Police on Tuesday night carried out a joint operation in a bid to prevent human trafficking, illegal drugs, minors, and the carrying of weapons in nightspots in the area.

The operation involved a police team comprised of officers from Pattaya Police, Chon Buri Immigration, and Tourist Police. The authorities raided two nightspots in Soi Bongkot in South Pattaya.

The police said they did not find any illegal activity after searching the two venues, The Pattaya News reported. However, they vowed to continue the operation to deter human trafficking, illegal drugs, and the carrying of weapons by patrons or venue guards, and minors.

The chief of Chon Buri Immigration, Pol. Col. Parinya Klinkesorn, said that he wanted to make Pattaya a clean and safe tourist destination. He said the goal was to prevent all kinds of illegal activities.

The operation follows a raid on a bar in Phuket’s Patong area which found underage girls being exploited for sexual services. A number of individuals were arrested, and five Patong Police officers were transferred to other posts for their connections to the scandal last week.

Region 8 Police commander Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomjit said on Monday that the Phuket Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for a Swiss man and two Thai women. However, the Swiss man had fled Thailand, he said.

In the wake of the scandal, several entertainment venues have lost 100 million baht. Local authorities ordered the early closure of bars, restaurants, and adult entertainment establishments.

Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, said the bar was related to a network of bars in Bangkok and Pattaya.

Like Patong, Pattaya is another hotspot in Thailand known for its booming nightlife, which is often the backdrop of numerous crimes.