Officials Raid Illegal Entertainment Venues in Patong and Phuket Town
PHUKET: Provincial officials carried out coordinated late-night raids on illegal entertainment venues in Patong and Phuket Town early yesterday ,shutting down unlicensed businesses, seizing ketamine and detaining suspects for prosecution.
Acting on orders from Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn, multiple teams moved in at around 12:30am to enforce social-order regulations and respond to ongoing complaints about illicit drug activity and after-hours trading.
In Patong, Kathu District officials, supported by Volunteer Defence Corps (OrSor) personnel, inspected two venues on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd. At Forty Four K Bar, officers arrested the operator, identified only as “Mr A”, for running an entertainment venue without permission and selling alcohol without a licence. At the nearby Tropicana Bar, the operator, identified as “Ms B”, was arrested for operating without a permit. Both cases were handed over to Patong Police for further legal action.
In a separate operation in Phuket Town, officials from the Phuket branch of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) raided an establishment in the Poonphol area following reports of illegal drug sales, unlicensed operations and after-hours trading. During the inspection at an address described only as Soi Poonphol, officers arrested a male suspect and seized five small bags of ketamine weighing approximately 3.17 grammes. He was charged with possession and sale of a Category 2 controlled substance.
Undercover officers also confirmed the venue was operating as an entertainment establishment with live music and karaoke rooms without a licence. The manager was arrested and charged with operating without permission, selling alcohol beyond legal hours and offering discounted alcohol promotions in violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.
Authorities conducted drug tests on 76 staff members at the venue, with six testing positive — three for methamphetamine, two for ketamine and one for both substances. All six agreed to enter rehabilitation under the Narcotics Control Act.
In total, two suspects were formally charged in connection with the Phuket Town raid, with seized evidence transferred to Phuket City Police for prosecution.
Provincial officials said the raids were part of an ongoing crackdown aimed at maintaining social order, combating narcotics activity and ensuring safety for both residents and tourists.
