File photo for representation only

 

By Thomson Reuters Foundation

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

BANGKOK, May 23 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Thai police said on Sunday that they had arrested 62 men for breaching coronavirus restrictions in a raid on a gay "chemsex" party, the country's largest such crackdown during the pandemic.

 

The men were arrested on Saturday night at Faros Sauna 2, where police also found drugs, needles and used condoms, said Police Colonel Ekapop Tanprayoon, superintendent of Bangkok's Wang Thong Lang District police station.

 

"(In the past) we have reprimanded people for gathering to drink at home," Ekapop told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

 

"But under the current circumstances there shouldn't be so many people in such a crowded area," he said, adding that Faros Sauna 2 has two buildings - one with 50 bedrooms - and a swimming pool and karaoke.

 

As Thailand grapples with a third COVID-19 wave, campaigners are warning of the health risks posed by an apparent increase in chemsex - where mainly gay and bisexual men meet to take drugs such as crystal meth and unprotected sex is common.

 

A largely conservative Buddhist society, Thailand has a reputation for its relaxed attitude towards gender and sexual diversity since homosexuality was decriminalised in 1956.

 

Yet Thai LGBT+ people often face discrimination and stigma in schools, the workplace and in healthcare facilities, and are often rejected by their families.

 

People who attended the party and its organisers face charges of violating an emergency decree put in place last March to combat COVID-19, Ekapop said, and could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,276).

 

Some 30 people have also tested positive for drugs so far and will be charged with drug-related crimes, he said.

 

Chemsex users are at risk of drug addiction or overdoses, as well as mental health problems, according to campaigners.

 

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

 

"Chemsex parties are a new normal amid the pandemic, and what is worrying is the health of those attending, such as the risks of contracting COVID-19 and HIV," he said.

 

($1 = 31.3600 baht)

 

(Reporting by Nanchanok Wongsamuth @nanchanokw; Editing by Katy Migiro and Hugo Greenhalgh)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-05-24

 

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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

 Ekapop said, and could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,276).

Give them the fine. They might enjoy the option too much.

Crackdown being the operative word in this case????

That must have been a bit of a bummer for them all .

In times like this large gathering of gay people, Covid everywhere, drugs and needles and god forbid, used condoms, it's abomination of every rule in Thailand anyway you look at it at, so the powers that be recessives it...

24 minutes ago, ezzra said:

it's abomination of every rule in Thailand 

it can't be, as rules are not for Thai people.

They are just for other people.  LOL.

 

 

Edited May 23, 20215 yr by Orinoco

What no government ministers identified as being present ?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai police said on Sunday that they had arrested 62 men for breaching coronavirus restrictions in a raid on a gay "chemsex" party

 

The PM (aka Virus Czar, aka Hero-General) has demanded the press immediately stop reporting on members of his government attending  these exciting, happy-go-lucky, "chemsex" jubilees.

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 20215 yr by Hayduke

Can't fix stupid.

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

In times like this large gathering of gay people, Covid everywhere, drugs and needles and god forbid, used condoms, it's abomination of every rule in Thailand anyway you look at it at, so the powers that be recessives it...

God forbid?? 

Hang on I need  to  know the country of  origin, what? no farang????

1 hour ago, Somtamnication said:

Can't fix stupid.

It does make you wonder, if one of those hyper intelligent , oh look at me,

oh look at me more,

having a good time.

people of Thailand.

posted it live on face book. !!!!!!!!!!!!! busted LOL.

 

 

 

Edited May 24, 20215 yr by Orinoco

3 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Crackdown being the operative word in this case????

No mention about the owners of the club allowing this to happen?

Did the police have anyone working undercover ?? ????

Just now, ronaldo0 said:

Did the police have anyone working undercover ?? ????

Did you mean working under the covers. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

So you rather have unused condoms instead...living on the wild side hey?

So they were having a good old gay time then.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Some 30 people have also tested positive for drugs so far and will be charged with drug-related crimes, he said.

Where's the important information, how many 'farang' were there, how many police shouting, "you party, you party"?

A number of troll posts/responses removed.

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

 

This "party" certainly does reinforce that image.

3 minutes ago, setbkk said:

would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

Pretty  obvious  here. Don't be concerend so  much about spreading  covid though just concerened about their  image.

Jailed or fined for having a party and people think that it's just normal ? This world has gone mad...

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

 

Correct.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

Yes.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

Too late. 

Were there any ministers (or their "aides") among the distinguished guests?

11 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

Were there any ministers (or their "aides") among the distinguished guests?

I imagine there is a separate meat-wagon for anyone they recognize...........drinks, disco lights, pretties and delivered straight to home.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Nikorn Chimkong, president of the Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ advocacy group, said he was concerned the arrests would contribute to the image of gay men being "promiscuous" and "spreading diseases".

62 blokes being crammed into a steamy sauna during a virus pandemic while having unprotected sex and indulging in all sorts of drugs, possibly sharing needles?

 

"Promiscuous", "spreading disease"? Nooooo, Mr. Nikorn, such evil thoughts would NEVER cross our minds. Besides, it would be cruel (AND politically incorrect) to hurt the fragile feelings of the LGBT++++ community, wouldn't it?

Wow! The 40.000 baht fine is much more scary than the virus this government so much wants to save us from...

Have to say that Covid would be my least concern in the list of possible diseases to contract from that wild shindig.