Police raid Russian Go-Go Bars in South Pattaya

[webfact]

Police raid Russian Go-Go Bars in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday, the Tourist Police, in conjunction with the Crime Suppression Police from Bangkok conducted raids on two Russian Go-Go Bars on Walking Street.

Despite the bars operating for many years in full view of the authorities, Police have decided the time has come to raid two of venues where a large number of illegal foreign workers were found and subsequently arrested.

The first venue to be raided was the Moulin Rouge Bar located in the center of Walking Street. A total of 5 Russian Workers were arrested and were found not to possess Work Permits.

The second venue was the “Crazy Russian Girls” Bar at the Southern end of Walking Street where Police arrested a total of 23 Russian and Kazakhstan Nationals, a mix of staff and customers.

Full story: http://pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/220237/police-raid-russian-go-go-bars-in-south-pattaya/#prettyPhoto

-- Pattaya One 2015-12-30

[shirtless]

Maybe time to do things legallyRussians think the rules dont apply to them.

[noitom]

The Russians were cutting in on the Thai sex trade/

[RIJoe]

From the Pattaya One article, they say a number of customers were arrested because they didn't have their 'original' passport with them and may be fined. The use of the word original seems to imply they had a copy which previous reports said was okay. Seems to continue the confusing and conflicting info disseminated.

[ezzra]

So finally someone in high place said enough is enough, time to pay a visit to the russkies Huh?

Those Russian bars were like the elephant in the room for so many years and has put to mockery

any of the immigration/labor department arguments for all foreigners to have WP and valid visas..

[lebenbabcock]

More like the Russians own 75% of that business already and neglected to pay somebody. Or, someone who has lost some business has paid extra to send some trouble their way.

The Russians were cutting in on the Thai sex trade/

[Chang_paarp]

From the Pattaya One article, they say a number of customers were arrested because they didn't have their 'original' passport with them and may be fined. The use of the word original seems to imply they had a copy which previous reports said was okay. Seems to continue the confusing and conflicting info disseminated.

I suspect that a very strong message is being sent to the owners and customers of these venues. Remember that interpretation of the rules and laws can be very fluid depending on the message that is being sent to different audiences.

[osiboy]

same as Thais always do,... lead you into a sense of false security , let you make a few bucks then take it away when you least expect it , ..no pity for ruskys tho , they always use mob rule and they got a taste of their own , make your bed, you have to lie in it

[craigt3365]

End of the year. Seems raids are happening all across Pattaya. It will be interesting to see if these continue on into next year....

[craigt3365]

From the Pattaya One article, they say a number of customers were arrested because they didn't have their 'original' passport with them and may be fined. The use of the word original seems to imply they had a copy which previous reports said was okay. Seems to continue the confusing and conflicting info disseminated.

As has been pointed out many times, it is the law here with regards to having your passport on you. Thais have to carry their ID at all times. We have to prove we are in the country legally. The only way to do this is to have your passport on you with a valid visa stamp. It's up to the official on the scene as to whether they will accept other forms of ID or copies, or give you time to go retrieve your documents. In this case, they demanded the original. Not the first time this has happened.

[Deli]

It was time to collect some extra cash for the BiB's new year's party

[cyberfarang]

Just curious, in which department do foreign women apply for work permits to be prostitutes in Thailand?

I would never have guessed that a bar called, Crazy Russian women would have Russian girls working there.

[phitsanulokjohn]

Due to a downturn in business,Russian mafia have now ceased payment.

How has been allowed to operate for years?

[Lampang2]

Imposed shutdown from layers above local police.

Military command.

[AlQaholic]

What?? The Russian Mafia didn't cough up the annual bonus for the police this year??? OhMy! this is gonna come back hard on the local Police....mafia...

Edited December 30, 2015 by AlQaholic

[bangon04]

Just curious, in which department do foreign women apply for work permits to be prostitutes in Thailand?

I would never have guessed that a bar called, Crazy Russian women would have Russian girls working there.

Yes obviously the local police could never work that out. This was probably the result of a special DSI investigation and lots of high tech undercover surveillance by the specialist units of the police.

[Kerryd]

Sigh. So apparently the info given last year by the Immigration official is already out-dated ?

"Earlier this afternoon, Thaivisa.com spoke to Deputy Commander and Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, a senior official at Immigration headquarters in Bangkok.

Deputy Commander Voravat wanted to reassure the expat community in Thailand about the current situation.

He told Thaivsia.com that information in an article published by The Nation on 31 July 2014, was incorrect.

Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747736-no-need-to-worry-says-bangkok-immigration-commander/?p=8178268

Not that it makes any difference. If someone in one department makes a statement and then it isn't passed on to everyone else in every department, every time they change staff, then within weeks the info will be forgotten and we'd be back to the beginning (again).

[chicowoodduck]

I rode down from BKK the other day and half the bus was full of coin operated Russian ho-hos...no doubt coming for all the New Year activities????? ?????

[GOLDBUGGY]

From the Pattaya One article, they say a number of customers were arrested because they didn't have their 'original' passport with them and may be fined. The use of the word original seems to imply they had a copy which previous reports said was okay. Seems to continue the confusing and conflicting info disseminated.

You need to carry your original passport on you at all times! It has always been this way! So there is nothing confusing about it!

There is just some people who don't like these rules and thus try to avoid them by playing around in the "Grey Area" and carrying Photo Copies or Mobile Phone Copies, instead of there Original Passport. Some get away with this on a Road Side Check, and some don't, as in this raid of this bar.

If you carry your Original Passport on you, and you are here legally, you will not experience any problems. I can't see anything less confusing that this.

[catman20]

The Russians were cutting in on the Thai sex trade/

they been doing that for years, I believe things have gone up in price to be able to operate there and that did not sit well with the owner of the bars hence the raid.

[williet98248]

From the Pattaya One article, they say a number of customers were arrested because they didn't have their 'original' passport with them and may be fined. The use of the word original seems to imply they had a copy which previous reports said was okay. Seems to continue the confusing and conflicting info disseminated.

As has been pointed out many times, it is the law here with regards to having your passport on you. Thais have to carry their ID at all times. We have to prove we are in the country legally. The only way to do this is to have your passport on you with a valid visa stamp. It's up to the official on the scene as to whether they will accept other forms of ID or copies, or give you time to go retrieve your documents. In this case, they demanded the original. Not the first time this has happened.

It may be the law but I don't carry my PP with me all the time and I especially wouldn't carry it when out on the town. I would rather pay the fine than lose the PP. But then, in twelve years I have never been asked to produce my passport by any authority except at Immigration and even when I forget it at home when on holiday the hotel accepts my DL as proper ID.

[kiwikeith]

The Russians were cutting in on the Thai sex trade/

No, I think that the Police have just had their eyes checked.

[n210mp]

From tilaceer part quote;

"From the man who knows:-

Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, has said tourists DO NOT need to carry passports at all times.

His comment came when he was responding to the recent tourist shakedown reports in various media outlets over the past month. He stated that if asked to show their passports, tourists can produce their documents at a later time if necessary.

With his clarification, Mr Thawornsiri brings an end to an expat point of argument spanning years relating to the need to carry a copy, the original or nothing at all."

You are correct in your post but unfortunately this info has not got to the local BIB or in fact to many of the police in many parts of Thailand who continue to interpret the law in a manner that suits them at the time

[sabaii69]

Maybe time to do things legallyRussians think the rules dont apply to them.

Note: Bangkok police used...hmmm

[sanukjim]

This has got to be pissing the BIB off as the military is forcing them to raid the places that are paying a lot of bribe money to operate as they like. So no new years bonus gift money to buy another Mercedes..555555

[sabaii69]

Imposed shutdown from layers above local police.

Military command.

They are doing a great job.

[derator01]

A post containing incorrect information has been removed from view.

[malt25]

Thailand and Russia are similar in that an extremely high percentage of their woman are prostitutes.

Me thinks you might be exaggerating, by a country mile. Extremely high percentage..... how about a very small percentage ???

Maybe your name is Cyclops.

[ggt]

Something amiss? These Russian Go-Go bars have been doing business for the at least the last several years...probably longer...

Makes me think that if we follow the money...we will find a disgruntled Thai...

[londonthai]

the time for a payback for spoiling high tourist season with an information from russian inteligence about 10 ISIS terrorists in thailand, has came.

in a few weeks do expect rounding up of 100 russian tourist quides in phuket.

thai inteligence never forgets anybody medling into their internal affairs