Twelve people arrested at Pattaya underground bar for allegedly drinking alcohol and violating Covid-19 measurements

Banglamung –

Eleven foreigners and one Thai national have been arrested in an underground room during a Pattaya bar raid while allegedly drinking alcohol that Pattaya police stated was violating the current Thai emergency decree to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Pattaya Police also stated the group was violating a variety of other rules and laws such as the communicable disease act, limits on gathering (The limit is five people, however, around drinking alcohol the limit is ONE person), and Chonburi provincial orders around Covid-19.

A team from the Nongprue City Police led by Colonel Chitdaecha Songhong raided the ‘FAT BOYS BAR & GRILL’ at the entrance of Soi Boon Sampan 5/1 in Nongprue at about 8:00 P.M. last night, July 26th, 2021.

Colonel Chitdaecha told The Pattaya News, “We had received complaints from concerned citizens that foreigners and Thais were secretly gathering and drinking alcohol in an underground room of the bar. The complainants alleged that they were afraid this could spread Covid-19 and felt that by reporting the incident they were protecting the community.”

“We have arrested 11 foreigners and one Thai who were found drinking alcohol in a basement bar.” Colonel Chitdaecha continued.

“The twelve of them were taken to the Nongprue Police Station. They are facing multiple charges of offending the Chonburi disease control order allowing drinking of alcohol at the bar and offending the emergency decree. Under Chonburi’s orders, strict rules, including the closure of all bars and entertainment venues, are currently in place. These rules are not meant to punish people, but to protect the health of the community. If we all follow the rules we can get everything back to normal faster.” Colonel Chitdaecha explained.

The names of those arrested were withheld by Nongprue police pending legal action and investigation. It was unclear if the ownership or management of the bar would face immediate action.