Police Search Khao San Road Bars in Drug-Free Campaign

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

In a concerted effort to maintain a 'drug-free' environment in nightlife venues, Bangkok police conducted searches on several bars along Khao San Road on 2nd February. The operation was part of a government directive aimed at preventing drug-related activities in entertainment districts.

 

Led by Police Colonel Ekkapop Tanprayoon, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, the operation involved officers from Chanasongkram Police Station, tourist police, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, alongside the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. The collaborative force aimed to prevent crime and suppress drug-related activities in the popular area.

 

Four establishments were targeted in the inspections: The Club, ReRe Khao San, Khao San Centre, and Lucky Beer. Officers checked patrons to ensure all were over the legal age of 20, and conducted searches for weapons and illegal substances both inside the venues and in the adjacent car parks.

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

The operation resulted in no underage individuals found, and no evidence of drug use or possession of weapons was detected. A total of 39 individuals were subjected to random urine tests, all of which came back negative for drugs.

 

Police Colonel Sanong Saengmanee from Chanasongkram Police Station stressed the importance of strict adherence to regulations by venue managers. He instructed them to rigorously check IDs, search for weapons before allowing entry, adhere to legal closing times, and prohibit any form of gambling on the premises, reported Daily News.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

-- 2025-02-03

 

 

[flyingtlger]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Four establishments were targeted in the inspections: The Club, ReRe Khao San, Khao San Centre, and Lucky Beer

These are the establishments were probably the ones that didn't "donate" enough into the police fund, if you know what I mean....

[hotchilli]

I wonder how many bars got a tip-off before the campaign started.

[ronster]

Found nothing and not one person failed a drugs test 🤔🙄

[Mr Meeseeks]

8 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

These are the establishments were probably the ones that didn't "donate" enough into the police fund, if you know what I mean....

 

Not owned by Police either. 

[RocketDog]

Wait!

The cops can't find drugs so they go to bars searching? I guess when they find some they get them for free. Sounds right.

Amazing Thailand.

[Elvis Presley]

what a waste of time and money.

[Upnotover]

"Drug-Free Campaign"

 

Well they got that bit right.  Campaign working 100% so far, good work, keep it up.

[richard_smith237]

 

3 hours ago, ronster said:

Found nothing and not one person failed a drugs test 🤔🙄

 

Of course, those were the ones that paid.....     

 

This was a warning to those that didn't pay - 'we're coming for you next' and if you haven't paid all the underage punters and all the drugs we find will 'suddenly' become official and we'll shut you down.... 

 

Thats the way it works, thats the way it always, works - its all part of the 'facade'.....

 

Whenever there is a 'raid due' the Club Always knows about it in advance....

 

Its part of the game, and that game is ensuring the BiB have their money each month. 

 

- How much money ??? thats negotiated between the Owner and Police Captain.

- And there are many different departments who want their cut, from Immigration, to regular Police, to Tourist Police, to CSI and Narcotics Police.....  All try for their Cut... 

 

.... So the Bar Owner, if clever, has to negotiate with the strongest of the Lot first - and then when others want their piece of the pie, the 'big gun' is the one they have to contact who, depending upon how important they are either get a smaller cut or told to take a hike.

 

 

 

 

[Thingamabob]

Ridiculous waste of time. The so-called war on drugs, over many years in many countries, has achieved nothing.

[richard_smith237]

11 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

These are the establishments were probably the ones that didn't "donate" enough into the police fund, if you know what I mean....

 

Nope - these are the ones who donated the 'right amount' which is why 'nothing was found'....

 

Its impossible that out of 500 'youngsters' none are underage and none-have drugs....   These bars were just the 'example' before the 'other bars' that are not 'donating' enough are raided.

 

 

Its a publicity stunt - loads of police, loads of media - look at us, we're keeping KSR road clean.

 

Reality - Police raid all the time, on the quiet, check the staff (illegal workers), check the customers, catch a few underage ones, a few with drugs - get the management, fine them a larger amount and tell them they'll be checked again unless their monthly stipend improves.

 

Thats the way it works !!!... 

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Thingamabob said:

Ridiculous waste of time. The so-called war on drugs, over many years in many countries, has achieved nothing.

 

This has nothing to do with a war on drugs.....   Its only about one thing.... 

 

Police Revenue - it always has 'only' been about that in places like this..... 

 

Also, its about 'protection'... If there are fights etc... and the Police are called, they are 'on call' if the club where the issue exists is a 'paid up member' of the Police Protection (i.e. paying their monthly fee)....   And that monthly fee varies based on perceived success of the bar..... 

[Thingamabob]

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

This has nothing to do with a war on drugs.....   Its only about one thing.... 

 

Police Revenue - it always has 'only' been about that in places like this..... 

 

Also, its about 'protection'... If there are fights etc... and the Police are called, they are 'on call' if the club where the issue exists is a 'paid up member' of the Police Protection (i.e. paying their monthly fee)....   And that monthly fee varies based on perceived success of the bar..... 

Absolutely right re RTP activity in Thailand. My point was about a broader issue.