84 fined for after-hours drinking

PHUKET TOWN: Vice-Governor Manit Wattanasen led raids at the weekend on two nightspots in Phuket Town, netting 84 revelers who were fined 500 baht each for after-hours drinking. During the raids on Variety on Rassada Rd and Mondo on Yaowarat Rd, the urine of three women and two men tested positive for illegal drugs. Samples have been sent to Bangkok for further analysis by the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC). The two restaurants owners were fined an undisclosed amount for selling alcohol after hours. Vice-Governor Manit led teams composed of officers from Phuket Town Police Station and the Excise Department in the operation at about 2:30 am on Saturday. In a radio interview this morning, V/Gov Manit told 96.75 MHz listeners about the curfew crackdown and warned drinkers not to stay on at nightspots after 2 am. Nearby residents had complained about the noise at the two raided restaurants. Today he told listeners that late-night drunks were liable to find crime a tempting option. “Owners of entertainment venues should be aware of their social responsibility,” he said. “Besides, I need my sleep too and don’t want to have to work such late hours.”