Double bust for Phuket bar owner

PHUKET: A Phuket bar owner was arrested twice in two days for running a nightlife venue without a permit and selling alcohol to underage customers.

Officers conducted a check at Zippy Bar in Phuket Town last Wednesday, of which Anchalee Kietiyod, 30, claimed to be the owner, said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee.

“She was found selling alcohol to about 15 underage customers and was also unable to produce a permit for running a nightlife venue. So, we arrested her and took her to the station for further processing,” Col Peerayuth said.

When officers returned to check on the bar the next evening, they found Ms Anchalee operating as usual, as well as continuing to sell alcohol to underage customers.

“We then asked Ms Anchalee to accompany us to the station again, after which she began shouting,” said Col Peerayuth.

A video of Ms Anchalee’s second arrest, which went viral on YouTube and other social media sites, shows police officers asking her to enter a police car while she argues and asks why she is being ‘arrested and assaulted’.

“None of the officers assaulted Ms Anchalee,” said Col Peerayuth. “They were only conducting regular patrols, which led to her subsequent arrest.”

In a court ruling on Friday, Ms Anchalee was fined 20,000 baht and handed a six-month prison sentence with one-year parole for the first incident.

She is currently awaiting the ruling for her second alleged offence, to which charges of insulting police officers have been added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong