(L
to R) Tatpol Iam-ngam, deputy district chief, Security Division; Noraset
Sritapatso, senior deputy district chief of Banglamung; Chaowalit
Saeng-Uthai, Banglamung district chief; Pol. Col. Nanthawut Suwanla-Ong,
superintendent of Pattaya Police; Pol. Lt. Col. Kritsakorn Thong-In,
deputy superintendent of Pattaya Police, Crime Suppression; and Bandit
Siritanyong, Pattaya Entrepreneurs club president lay down the law with
entertainment entrepreneurs.
Phasakorn Channgam
Pattaya entertainment businesses were warned again to
crack down on drugs, weapons and minors as Banglamung District this
month joins police in inspecting bars and clubs for violations.
New District Chief Chaowalit Saeng-Uthai told about
200 area bar owners that bureaucrats would be joining police in
impromptu inspections, looking for unlicensed venues, drug sales or use,
and checking identification cards.
Chaowalit, along with Pattaya Police Superintendent
Col. Nanthawut Suwanla-Ong, noted that entertainment venues continue to
flout city regulations on closing times and serving customers under age
20. He said that while a sweeping revision of city zoning laws now
underway may eventually solve such problems, the new plan will not be
approved for some time and that improvements are needed now.
Specifically, he said, many entertainment venues are
still operating without licenses and he suggested they get licensed
before they get caught. Further, officials want clubs to better check
for weapons and ID cards before allowing customers in.
He also said more work is needed to not only prevent
drugs from being sold in entertainment venues, but to ensure bar
employees are not using narcotics themselves.
Chaowalit said if bar raids starting in June find violations, venues
are subject to fines and at least temporarily closure. He added that if
facilities are found to have short-time room rentals, they will be
closed permanently.
