Police crack down on pubs

PHUKET TOWN: In the run-up to national elections, Phuket Town police have been cracking down on errant entertainment venues. In a series of raids in the town between Monday and Thursday last week, establishments known for ignoring opening and licensing laws were targeted, resulting in 18 pubs and restaurants being charged with a variety of offenses. Boopachon Pub, Sip Tam Rub Thai Pub and Kung Ja Restaurant were caught staying open after the 3 am closing time. Establishments charged with operating without a license or operating illegally included Club House Pub, The Pub, Studio Pub, J.S. Café, Kled Kaew 2 Pub, Latin Pub, BeBop Rock Pub and Restaurant, Karaoke 2000, and Society Pub. Studio Pub and India Daeng Pub were charged with allowing entry to people under the age of 18. “The Governor will decide whether any of these entertainment places should be closed permanently or temporarily,” said Pol Col Chalit Thinthanee, superintendent of Phuket Town police station. The police raids also netted one man wanted for murder, another in possession of an illegally modified .22 caliber gun, seven ya bah dealers with a total of 127 tablets, 12 people found using or in possession of ya bah or marijuana, and 17 gamblers.