Pattaya-
Authorities raided a Pattaya nightclub early this morning, detaining 39 patrons for alleged drug use after a violent incident allegedly involving the club’s staff attacking a Chinese tourist.
At 3:36 AM on January 5th, 2025, Chonburi Governor Mr. Thawatchai Sritong, along with over 100 officers from the Pattaya Police Station and several other agencies, raided the Panda Club, located in the heart of Walking Street, following an incident over the New Year holidays when the club’s security staff allegedly assaulted a Chinese tourist, leaving the victim severely injured and still seeking medical care.
Upon arrival, the team found the venue still open. Over 300 patrons, mainly Chinese nationals alongside Thai and other international tourists, were found drinking and dancing to the music.
Authorities immediately halted all activities, turned on the lights, and stopped the music. Many patrons, unaware of the raid, continued enjoying themselves until officers stopped them and separated them into male and female groups for identity verification.
The patrons’ identification cards and personal documents were checked, and urine samples were collected to test for drug use. Governor Mr. Thawatchai revealed to the media that the tests discovered over 39 individuals with positive results for drug use, though no illegal substances were found on the premises. There were no reports of any foreigners on overstay of their visa, which is also regularly checked during similar raids.
The 39 individuals, including 19 men and 20 women, were taken into custody and transferred to the Pattaya Police Station for further legal proceedings. The police did not reveal their nationalities or the exact drugs the detainees were tested positive for. TPN media notes that the most common drugs tested for during similar raids is methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine. Cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand and not tested for.
It is unclear what legal action would be taken in regards to both the raid and the alleged assault on a tourist previously at the club and police only stated to reporters that this matter was still under investigation.
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