A Pattaya Thai pub that ignored a five-year closure order was raided on its grand reopening, which police called a “drug party”.
Banglamung District officials, police and soldiers stormed the Apollo Club on Soi Chalermprakiat Soi 21 and Third Road around 2 a.m. July 17.
More than 100 people were corralled with 22 detained after failing drug tests. Authorities confiscated six bags of ketamine and ecstasy tablets. Deejay Piyawat Lertjitjarat, 24, was arrested for possession of ketamine, as well as two cashiers, Supranee Lapudom, 33, and Nattanan Kanwansit, 30.
The staffers were charged with reopening the club without permission, selling alcohol without a license and violating a government order.
The pub, catering to Thai partygoers, had been ordered closed for five years following a previous raid. The owners flagrantly defied the order, publicizing a large private Grand Reopening party.
Banglamung authorities said they’re sure they’ll get the club closed this time.
