Pattaya Police raided a nightclub early this morning and arrested five Laos bartenders on suspicion of working without a work permit.
The defunct nightclub “La-on Club Pattaya” is located in Pattaya on Soi Kho Phai 4. Many police officers stormed the club about 02:30 a.m. today, April 11th, after receiving complaints from concerned citizens that the club operator was hiring migrant employees without work permits.
Concerned individuals allegedly feared that without work permits, the employees would not be properly trained to assist clients.
Within the pub, about 20 Thai pubgoers were discovered. The venue operator was instructed by police to cut off the music and switch on the lights. They then detained five Laos males masquerading as bartenders and demanded that they present their work credentials. After failing to comply with the police order, all five guys were transported to a nearby police station for identification. Although just one of the five guys admitted to working for the club, Pattaya Police told The Pattaya News that if they were not legally entitled to work in the country, they would charge all of them.
Pattaya police have not disclosed the names of the arrested suspects.
The authorities also tested the club’s clients for illegal narcotics and found none. They also stated that they would take legal action against the club operator because the club allegedly breached the official closing hour, which varies depending on whether a bar is in the entertainment zone or not, and can range from midnight to 2AM.
