Pattaya, Chonburi– In the early hours of February 13th, 2026, a special task force from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) conducted a raid on an unlicensed karaoke bar, which is also a cannabis shop and small Thai food vendor, that the authorities publicly identified as Zeed’s Bar 31 located in Soi Nakluea 12 in the Na Kluea Subdistrict. The operation uncovered evidence of child exploitation, including the alleged coercion of a 16-year-old girl into sexual services, said relevant authorities.
The raid was carried out under the directives of Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Prime Minister, citing social order and crackdowns on illegal activities. The operation was overseen by high-ranking officials, including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Arsit Sampantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration Narucha Koshasivi, Deputy Director-General Ronrong Thipsiri, and other key personnel from the department’s investigation and volunteer defense units.Led by Saksachai Rotjanarat, Director of the Law Enforcement Operations Center for Provincial Administration Officers, the special unit, accompanied by Ronrong Thipsiri and Banglamung District Chief Anusak Piriya-amorn, stormed the premises at approximately 00:36 a.m. The action followed public complaints that the bar, beyond operating noisily late into the night and causing local disturbances, was allegedly illegally employing minors in sexually exploitative roles.
Authorities discovered that the establishment functioned as an unlicensed karaoke venue without the required entertainment service permit. Inside, five female workers were present, one of whom was a 16-year-old girl. Investigations revealed that the bar’s owners, a married Thai couple, were allegedly aware of and profited from prostitution activities involving the minor. The girl had been lured or deceived into providing services to customers, including hugging, kissing, groping, and engaging in sexual intercourse, with the owners receiving a share of the earnings, said authorities on the raid. The name of the couple was withheld by authorities, however, due to the still ongoing investigation.
The bar owners face multiple charges, including:1. Operating an entertainment venue without a license, under Sections 4, 3(4)(b), and 26 of the Entertainment Venues Act B.E. 2509 (1966).
2. Selling alcoholic beverages outside permitted hours, under Section 28 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008), in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s Office Announcement on Alcohol Sales Hours B.E. 2558 (2015).
3. Procuring or facilitating obscene acts for others’ gratification, under Section 282 of the Criminal Code.
4. Exploiting a child (aged over 15 but under 18) for prostitution through deception, fraud, or abuse of power, constituting human trafficking, under Section 6(2) in conjunction with Section 52 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
5. Procuring or inducing individuals into prostitution, even with consent, under Section 9 of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996).
6. Employing a child under 18 in a venue selling food, alcohol, or other beverages with customer entertainment services, under Section 50(4) of the Labor Protection Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
Officers rescued the 16-year-old victim and will refer her to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for screening and protection by multidisciplinary teams, followed by care from the Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office. The bar owners did not immediately release a statement.
The venue is also expected to face a five-year closure order from the Chonburi Provincial Governor, in line with relevant National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) directives.
Deputy Director-General Ronrong Thipsiri stressed the severity of human trafficking as a major national issue requiring collective action. “Entertainment venue operators must act responsibly toward society. Such places are strictly prohibited from employing children. Concealing child prostitution constitutes human trafficking, carrying severe penalties,” he said. He urged the public to report suspicious activities to district, provincial, or the Ministry of Interior Damrongtham Centers via hotline 1567.
