Phuket 'Baraku' Bars Still Under The Microscope

[webfact]

Phuket 'baraku' bars still under the microscope

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada displays a hookah seized during the March raids. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

While hookahs are not illegal, the duty-free tobacco they contain is. Photo: Phuket Provincial Office

PHUKET: -- At a press conference held at Provincial Hall yesterday, Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada detailed the current state of affairs concerning the investigation into the island’s baraku bar business.

During the meeting, V/Gov Chamroen stressed that all baraku bars – “baraku” being the Malay-derived word for hookah water pipes – could be adequately controlled using existing laws and regulations.

Early in March this year, provincial officials led by the Vice Governor inspected 26 baraku bars in all three districts of Phuket. As a result of that operation, 11 bars and 10 people are now under investigation.

Other charges arising from the raids have been brought against six foreigners who were caught working illegally, and two individuals who tested positive for drugs.

Some of the bars under investigation in Phuket Town have since been closed by the owners.

In line with Vice Governor Chamroen’s comments about using existing regulations to control baraku venues, the owners of the 11 bars are being investigated for selling illegally imported tobacco, a practice that contravenes Section 27 of the Customs Act BE 2509 (1966).

V/Gov Chamroen said that most customers in Phuket Town’s baraku bars were between 14 and 18 years old. He also noted that officers had found traces of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) at a few of the bars.

“Previous to the official crackdown, baraku establishments operated openly. Since coming under scrutiny from the authorities, they have moved their operations behind closed doors. More often than not, it was a large number of motorbikes parked outside these venues that sparked officers’ interest in the premises,” he said.

According to official reports, most baraku bars in Kata, and an even higher number in Patong, are owned by foreigners.

The same report goes on to state that customers frequenting those baraku bars in tourist areas are mainly from the Middle East, and that illegal alien workers are employed by the bars.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16146.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-06-08

[yougivemebaby]

Lame. A non violent crime. Only victim is the goons not getting their cookie/tea $.

Make the farang feel a little safer by shutting down all jetski operations and make them become licensed WITH their name on a list. Make them wear visible SIMPLE # identification. Have a website or FB with reviews for all the jetski operators.

IE I was nearly pummeled to death by number 3A. Don't use him!

If they don't use this system they get a warning then mandatory jail time.

[pacovl46]

God, don't they have anything better to do???

[EarthAlien]

...and I thought that someone couldn't spell "hookers" and that this would be an interesting amazing article!

[how241]

God, don't they have anything better to do???

+1

[gand]

Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar

Has given you the call

[lovetotravel]

Most think Hookah pipes are less dangerous than cigarettes. Actually, they're worse:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8281791_dangers-hookah-pipe.html

According to Harvard Health Publications, researchers have found that hookah smokers take longer, deeper breaths than cigarette smokers. Hookah smoking sessions also last longer than cigarette smoking sessions. Current estimates suggest that hookah smokers inhale roughly 100 cigarettes worth of smoke per session. Hookah smoke also contains the same toxins and carcinogens as cigarette smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.

Improperly cleaned hookah hoses can spread cold and flu viruses, as well as other bacteria and germs. According to the American Cancer Society, infectious diseases can be spread through the sharing of mouthpieces and hoses. They can also be spread through the use of improperly prepared tobacco.

[Semper]

Most think Hookah pipes are less dangerous than cigarettes. Actually, they're worse:

http://www.ehow.com/...ookah-pipe.html

According to Harvard Health Publications, researchers have found that hookah smokers take longer, deeper breaths than cigarette smokers. Hookah smoking sessions also last longer than cigarette smoking sessions. Current estimates suggest that hookah smokers inhale roughly 100 cigarettes worth of smoke per session. Hookah smoke also contains the same toxins and carcinogens as cigarette smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.

Improperly cleaned hookah hoses can spread cold and flu viruses, as well as other bacteria and germs. According to the American Cancer Society, infectious diseases can be spread through the sharing of mouthpieces and hoses. They can also be spread through the use of improperly prepared tobacco.

Tobacco! Who would want to smoke tobacco in a waterpipe?

[robertson468]

Most think Hookah pipes are less dangerous than cigarettes. Actually, they're worse:

http://www.ehow.com/...ookah-pipe.html

According to Harvard Health Publications, researchers have found that hookah smokers take longer, deeper breaths than cigarette smokers. Hookah smoking sessions also last longer than cigarette smoking sessions. Current estimates suggest that hookah smokers inhale roughly 100 cigarettes worth of smoke per session. Hookah smoke also contains the same toxins and carcinogens as cigarette smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.

Improperly cleaned hookah hoses can spread cold and flu viruses, as well as other bacteria and germs. According to the American Cancer Society, infectious diseases can be spread through the sharing of mouthpieces and hoses. They can also be spread through the use of improperly prepared tobacco.

Tobacco! Who would want to smoke tobacco in a waterpipe?

As they say in Yorkshire, "there's nowt more queer than folk!".

[easybullet3]

the problem was illegally purchased tobacco?

- so, charge them duty?

if someone is buying duty free petrol, is it normal to confiscate the cars?

seems a strange crack-down.. i wonder how much time and effort was placed on this case. and I wonder if it could have been better spent doing more useful things that actually stop more serious crimes.

[chiang mai]

Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar

Has given you the call

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Mmmmm, Gracie!

[NamKangMan]

It's not tobacco, it's dried fruit.

[lovetotravel]

It's not tobacco, it's dried fruit.

This says it's flavored tobacco. But I don't smoke, so wouldn't know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu%E2%80%98assel

Mu‘assel (Arabic: معسل‎ which means "honeyed", also spelled "maasel", "ma'asel", "maassel", "maassell" and "mahsell"), is a syrupy tobacco mix with molasses and vegetable glycerin which is smoked in a hookah.

[NamKangMan]

It's not tobacco, it's dried fruit.

This says it's flavored tobacco. But I don't smoke, so wouldn't know.

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Muâ€assel

Mu‘assel (Arabic: معسل‎ which means "honeyed", also spelled "maasel", "ma'asel", "maassel", "maassell" and "mahsell"), is a syrupy tobacco mix with molasses and vegetable glycerin which is smoked in a hookah.

I don't know a lot about it either. I don't know if it's dried fruit with some tobacco in it, or tobacco with some dried fruit in it. I have seen the packets and the product inside. There appears to be "chunks" of what is probably, fruit. The packets are small, and the product is "wet." A little bit of it goes a long way in a waterpipe. I have no doubt many friends of the Middle Eastern restaurant/hookah bar owners bring over packets of the tobacco/fruit for the bar owner, who then escapes the high taxes. Unlike a bottle of alcohol having the tax sticker on the lid, it's difficult to do the same with this packaging.

The burning fruit has a stong and sweet smell. Many times drugs are mixed in and you can not tell people are smoking the drugs because of the strong smell of the fruit.

The Thai's will not miss out on an opportunity to make another baht. They will probably bring in a "hookah licence" if you want to offer the waterpipe on the menu. :)

[MrRed]

Lame. A non violent crime. Only victim is the goons not getting their cookie/tea $.

Make the farang feel a little safer by shutting down all jetski operations and make them become licensed WITH their name on a list. Make them wear visible SIMPLE # identification. Have a website or FB with reviews for all the jetski operators.

IE I was nearly pummeled to death by number 3A. Don't use him!

If they don't use this system they get a warning then mandatory jail time.

This is the process for hookers,drugs and jet ski operators.It's called the hooker lines and sink'em method! ;-)

Edited June 9, 2012 by MrRed

[sirchai]

Most think Hookah pipes are less dangerous than cigarettes. Actually, they're worse:

http://www.ehow.com/...ookah-pipe.html

According to Harvard Health Publications, researchers have found that hookah smokers take longer, deeper breaths than cigarette smokers. Hookah smoking sessions also last longer than cigarette smoking sessions. Current estimates suggest that hookah smokers inhale roughly 100 cigarettes worth of smoke per session. Hookah smoke also contains the same toxins and carcinogens as cigarette smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.

Improperly cleaned hookah hoses can spread cold and flu viruses, as well as other bacteria and germs. According to the American Cancer Society, infectious diseases can be spread through the sharing of mouthpieces and hoses. They can also be spread through the use of improperly prepared tobacco.

Tobacco! Who would want to smoke tobacco in a waterpipe?

Guess they meant mixed with tobacco..