Shark rumor sparks official check

PATONG: Government officials checked the Shark Club last night after hearing a rumor that the venue, closed permanently on the orders of Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi, was planning to reopen tomorrow night. Chief of the Phuket Provincial Governor’s office Lertkiat Vongpuaphan visited the Shark Club in Patong to investigate the rumors, an officer in the Governor’s office told the Gazette. “We could not look inside because officers have the right to check entertainment places only if they are open,” he said. “It seems the staff are preparing to reopen, but they can’t because they do not have a license.” According to one former Shark Club staff member, who did not want to be named, a rumor has been circulating that the venue will reopen tomorrow night under the name “Lilly”. Another man, who has been retained as a club employee, said he was not sure whether the Shark would reopen tomorrow night and could not be specific about whether the name would change. Lawyers acting for the club have been pursuing legal avenues to overturn the closure order ever since the club was shut down on January 30. It was discovered that the operating license for the disco contained irregularities and had, in any case, expired. Shark manager-shareholder Kevin Radke was also ordered to leave the country.