Thai Interior Ministry officials raided the 577 Club in Bangkok's Huai Khwang district at 1.30am on 29 August 2026, alleging it was operating as an unlicensed entertainment venue, serving alcohol outside legal hours and linked to drug activity.

The Department of Provincial Administration's DOPA S.W.A.T. team found hundreds of Thai and foreign customers inside the club at 577 Pracha Uthit 11 Road. Officials said some customers tested positive for drugs and drugs were found within the premises.

The operation, named "Singha Prab Mangkon Thamin", or "Lion Crushes the Dark Dragon", was led by Deputy Interior Ministers Pholphee Suwanchawee and Waris Sliangsiriphet.

Claims of late opening and no licence

The raid followed complaints that the venue, known locally as the "Chinese Huai Khwang pub", was operating illegally, selling drugs and serving alcohol beyond permitted hours.

Investigators said previous surveillance on 27 and 28 July showed the large venue, which has live music, singers, DJs, several service zones and private VIP rooms, continuing to admit customers after 2am. They estimated that 300 to 400 customers were inside at around 3am, and said it remained open at 4am.

Government records showed no entertainment-venue licence for the business, officials said. The authorities also said the club had previously been raided but had resumed operating, despite being less than three kilometres from responsible agencies.

Those found with drugs in their systems and those linked to drugs seized at the venue will be dealt with separately under the Narcotics Code and related laws, with investigators seeking to identify suppliers and wider networks.

Foreign staff and payment trail under scrutiny

Officials said several Vietnamese employees could speak Chinese and that recruitment appeared to favour Chinese-speaking staff. A Chinese national was also allegedly seen directing employees and resolving problems at the venue.

Investigators are examining whether that person had a management role, as well as possible Chinese investment and the use of Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership or control.

The club accepted payments through Alipay and WeChat, officials said, with the payee shown as 577 Club SAENG MUNGKORN.THONG CO., Ltd., or Saeng Mungkorn Thong Company Limited. Payments were also reportedly accepted through several personal bank accounts.

Authorities will examine the company structure, shareholders, investment sources, controlling parties and ultimate beneficiaries. Foreign staff were detained after officials found allegations that they were working outside their authorised roles; their supervisors and other people connected to the club were sent to police investigators.

Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

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30 August 2026

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After what happened at the Na Ladprao pub on the 12th of July, it's good to read a report on this type of enforcement. Might be a jealousy-based tip-off, or something else, but good nevertheless.

Slightly less seriously, what is this cop doing? I thought they'd do a scientific test on an unknown white power rather than a 'sniff-test'?