Phuket officials have raided 2 illegal nightclubs in Kathu, resulting in 5 senior police officers, including the chief of Kathu police, being transferred. The Phuket Express reports that officials from the Department of Provincial Administration raided the Maha Nakhon Club and Ratree Club in Kathu, in the early hours of Thursday, June 1.
They were acting on complaints from local residents that the clubs remained open late every day, creating a noise disturbance. The law in Thailand is that nightlife venues must close by 2.00am.
According to the complaints, the Ratree Club would remain open until 4.00am every day, at which point clubbers would cross the street to the Maha Nakhon Club, which allegedly remained open until 6.00am.
Video posted on The Pattaya News YouTube page below…
VIDEO: The Pattaya News
At the time of the raids, the authorities found hundreds of customers at both venues, neither of which had operating licences. The owners of both clubs face charges of operating without a licence, remaining open past the legal closing time, and selling alcohol after legal alcohol sales hours.
In addition, the owner of the Maha Nakhon Club faces charges of selling alcohol to people under the age of 20 and admitting clubbers under the age of 20. The authorities have not released the names of either nightclub owner.
According to the Phuket Express report, a proposal that both clubs be shut down for 5 years is being submitted to the Phuket Governor.
Meanwhile, 5 senior officers are being transferred, pending a full investigation. They include the chief of Kathu police and 4 other officers, all of whom will be transferred to the Phuket Provincial Police Station.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
