Dozens of patrons were found positive for drugs following a police raid on a popular pub in Muang district of Chon Buri early Saturday. Nine individuals, including a pub guard, were apprehended for drug distribution.
A team of 150, comprising police officers and officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, conducted the raid on Nasa Club in tambon Don Hualor around 1:30am. At the time, approximately 400 customers were present, many dancing to music. Upon the authorities’ arrival, some attempted to escape, discarding drug sachets or trying to flush substances down restroom drains.
All patrons underwent urine tests, with initial reports indicating 105 people (61 men, 44 women) tested positive for drug use and were subsequently arrested. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul later disclosed at a press conference that 157 individuals (68 men, 89 women) were confirmed to have drugs in their systems. Among them, eight were underage for legal alcohol consumption, aged below 20.
In addition to the drug users, eight people were arrested for drug sales, and one individual was detained based on an outstanding drug-related arrest warrant, according to Pol Capt Khetrat Charnsil, director of the Territorial Defence Volunteers Administration Bureau at the Department of Provincial Administration. Furthermore, authorities discovered a teenager under 18 at the premises.
The pub’s owner, known only as Ek, faces multiple charges, including operating without proper permits, serving alcohol beyond legal hours, allowing drug sales and use on the premises, and permitting entry to a minor under 18 years old. Pol Capt Khetrat stated that the pub would be shut down for five years due to violations of an order issued by the National Council for Peace and Order following the 2014 military coup, which continues to be in effect.
