A popular entertainment venue in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district has been ordered shut after police discovered illegal drugs scattered across the floor during a raid in the early hours of Sunday. The crackdown, carried out at around 1 a.m., resulted in the arrest of several individuals and is expected to lead to the pub’s closure for five years under strict regulatory laws.
The operation was led by Nonthaburi assistant governor Natthadet Kangsukol, accompanied by district officials and territorial defence volunteers. Authorities launched the raid following a tip-off that the pub was operating beyond legal hours and allowing drug use inside. The venue, located on Liap Khlong Prapa Road in Ban Mai, was hosting approximately 300 customers at the time.
Security guards stationed at the entrance were detained as the officials entered. According to police, the surprise inspection caused panic among some patrons who had brought illegal substances into the venue. In a bid to avoid arrest, they reportedly threw packets of drugs onto the floor and even into ice buckets at their tables. Officers collected the discarded narcotics as evidence and immediately began on-site testing.
Urine tests were conducted on customers, with 16 individuals returning positive results for illegal drug use. They were taken into custody for further legal action. The discovery confirmed suspicions that the pub had become a known hotspot for drug activity.
During the operation, authorities encountered an unidentified man who attempted to negotiate with officials to halt the inspection. His request was refused, and the raid continued without interruption. Several customers told police that the venue routinely stayed open until 3 a.m., well past the legal closing time. In addition, they alleged that visitors from other establishments were allowed in after hours by purchasing special wristbands for 100 baht.
Investigators arrested staff members accused of selling these wristbands, seizing several thousand baht in cash believed to be proceeds from the scheme. The illegal after-hours operation, combined with the evidence of drug use, prompted officials to take swift action.
Under National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) regulations, the authorities will recommend closing the pub for a period of five years. The move is in line with laws aimed at maintaining public safety, curbing the spread of illegal drugs, and enforcing operating hour limits for entertainment venues.
Police have warned other nightlife establishments in the province to strictly adhere to operational regulations. Raids and inspections are expected to continue, with a focus on venues suspected of tolerating or facilitating illegal activity.
The closure serves as a stark reminder of the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward drug use in public venues and the strict enforcement of closing times. For the patrons caught in the raid, the incident has now become a matter for the courts — while for the venue, it marks the end of its operations for the foreseeable future.
