PHITSANULOK — Five senior police officers have been transferred to inactive posts after an Interior Ministry task force found two pubs in their area serving underage drinkers.
The pubs, where a total of three drinkers under age 20 were found, have been ordered closed for five years under a military government crackdown on alcohol sales near schools, backed by the sweeping powers of Section 44 of the interim constitution.
The transfer order, effective from Aug 21, was signed by Pol Lt Gen Roongroj Sangkram, the commander of Provincial Police Region 6 commander.
The five officers from the Muang Phitsanulok police station were Pol Col Damrong Muanardyim, the station chief; Pol Lt Nonthaworn Sri-in, deputy chief of the crime suppression unit; Pol Lt Parinya Thongma, a crime suppression inspector; Pol Maj Tawatchai Kongman, a crime suppression inspector; and Pol Lt Theplit Singsatit, an investigation inspector.
They were transferred to Provincial Police Region 6 headquarters until further notice.
Pol Col Somnuak Markmee, chief of the Phrom Phiram station, will take over as acting chief in Muang district
The order was issued on Friday after Passakorn Boonyaluck, chief of the Muang Phitsanulok district office, led about 100 territorial defence volunteers to inspect entertainment venues.
They found two 19-year-old female university students at Zeus Bar located near Naresuan University and another person aged under 20 at the Mai Mon pub and restaurant opposite the provincial stadium.
The owners of the two venues face a maximum of six months in jail and a fine up to 20,000 baht. Their businesses have been ordered closed for five years under the Section 44 provision that bars liquor sales near educational institutions and illegal nightspot operations.