Phuket Police raids at Surin Beach “just routine’, says local police chief

PHUKET: The series of walk-in police raids that startled patrons at a string of bars at Surin Beach last night were nothing more than routine checks, claims the Cherng Talay police chief.

The raids were carried out by “standard patrols” with no special targets in mind, Cherng Talay Superintendent Col Chanuchan Cholsuwat told the Phuket Gazette today.

“We do this once a week, sometimes once every two weeks,” Col Chanuchan said.

“I have not received reports of any problems or of any bars being closed down during the raids last night,” he added.

Col Chanuchan said that squads of about five officers usually patrol the Surin Beach area, checking for “safety in general”.

“If we notice a bar playing music too loudly or if we happen to see a customer that seems to be so drunk he or she might cause problems, we will go in and check,” Col Chanuchan said.

“Otherwise, there is nothing special about this. It is normal for us to inspect bars,” he added.

— Orawin Narabal