Huai Khwang police uncovered 26 Chinese partygoers and a stash of methamphetamine during a raid on an illegal entertainment venue in Din Daeng district early Tuesday morning.
In the early hours of November 5, officers from Huai Khwang Police Station, along with the Children and Women’s Welfare Division, raided a five-story commercial building at 7 Soi Pracharatbamphen 4 in Din Daeng, Bangkok, following reports of illegal activities at the site.
Upon arrival, police found that the first and second floors were still under construction, while the third floor contained two fully furnished rooms equipped with lighting and sound systems. In total, 26 Chinese nationals were discovered inside the venue: Room 1 had seven people (three men and four women), while Room 2 had 19 people (13 men and six women). Both rooms were being used for drinking and dining.
During the search, officers discovered drug paraphernalia in Room 1. Outside Room 2, they found a handbag containing four zip-lock bags of crystal-like substances, believed to be methamphetamine.
The building’s manager, identified as 25-year-old Sakorn from Chai Prakan district, Chiang Mai, was arrested at the scene. He admitted to operating the venue illegally, stating that although the building was being renovated into a karaoke establishment, he had opened it prematurely to meet customer demand. He charged 20,000 baht per room for the service.
When officers requested the venue’s entertainment licenses, it was revealed that the establishment had no permits for operating as an entertainment venue or for selling alcohol. Additionally, the venue was found to be selling alcohol outside of legal hours.
Sakorn was charged with operating an entertainment venue without a license, permitting or neglecting drug-related offenses on the premises, and selling alcohol outside of legal hours.
The arresting officers transferred the suspect and the seized evidence to Huai Khwang Police Station for further legal processing. Meanwhile, the patrons and staff were taken to Police General Hospital for drug testing.
