Pattaya Police raid nightclub in late night crackdown on illegal activities
Late last night, at around 10.30pm, a nightclub in Pattaya was raided by local police in search of overstayers and those partaking in illegal activities. The venue, known as “Hollywood,” is located on Petchtrakul Road and was filled with approximately 300 patrons, both Thai and foreign, when the police arrived.
This raid comes as part of an ongoing campaign spearheaded by Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachet “Big Joke” Hakparn, who is focused on clamping down on foreigners living in Thailand illegally or involved in criminal enterprises. A team of 50 police officers and immigration agents searched, making sure to scour every corner of the nightclub.
Upon entering the nightclub, officers ordered the venue operators to turn off the music and dim the lights before proceeding to separate Thais from foreigners. This allowed them to thoroughly check passports and conduct drug tests on both groups to determine if any individuals were overstaying their welcome or participating in illegal activities, Bangkok Post reported.
Among the clientele were 81 Chinese tourists, 28 from Hong Kong, 27 Koreans, three Taiwanese, and two Laotians. The remaining patrons and staff were Thai nationals. Much to the authorities’ relief, all individuals present in the nightclub were cleared from drug use and had valid passports, according to police reports.
Despite the positive outcome of this particular raid, Pattaya Police have made it clear that they will continue to conduct similar operations to crack down on all forms of illegal activities in the city. Nightclubs in Pattaya have become a focal point for these inspections, as they are popular hotspots for both locals and tourists, making them prime targets for individuals seeking to indulge in unlawful pursuits.
This is not the first time that Pattaya Police have been carrying out raids on nightclubs to check passports and identify those partaking in illegal activities. As a favourite destination for holidaymakers and expats alike, Pattaya has acquired a somewhat seedy reputation over the years, with local authorities striving to clean up its image and maintain its status as a popular tourist destination.
It remains to be seen whether this ongoing crackdown will have a lasting impact on illegal activities in Pattaya, but for now, it seems that local police are committed to maintaining law and order throughout the city.
In light of these recent raids, both tourists and residents in Pattaya would be wise to ensure they comply with local laws and regulations. Failure to do so could result in severe penalties or even deportation for those caught in the wrong.
