KHON KAEN: The chief of Muang district police is facing an investigation after a raid on a pub that employed armed guards netted 146 underage patrons and 14 tested positive for drug use.
Police Region 4 ordered an investigation into Pol Col Chamlong Suwalak for negligence following the raid in the police district's jjurisdiction, said Pol Maj Gen Thanasak Ritthidetpaiboon, deputy commander of Police Region 4.
The regional police office would await the outcome of the investigation, which will be concluded in 30 days, before deciding whether to transfer all five senior police officers at Muang police station, said Pol Maj Gen Thanasak.
The move came after officials from the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection raided Ban Gru Club & Bar in Muang district at around 2am and found many underage people inside.
Of the more than 160 patrons, 146 were aged below 20. Among them, 94 were under 18 and three were 14 years old.
All patrons were asked to undergo urine tests and 14 tested positive for drug use. Three guards were found to have carried 9mm pistols.
A source said the leder of the raid, Ronnarong Thipsiri, director of the supervision and inspection division of the Department of Provincial Administration under the Interior Ministry, had not notified local authorities in advance. He reported the outcome directly to the interior minister and the Khon Kaen governor.
The nightspot will be closed for five years for violating orders of the National Council for Peace and Order.
Khon Kaen governor Somsak Jangtrakul said on Saturday that the pub had violated several laws, including allowing teenagers aged below 20 to use its premises, allowing some to use illicit drugs and letting its guards carry pistols.
Given the nature of the offences, the venue must immediately cease operations without the need to wait for an official letter ordering it to close, said Mr Somsak.
Three guards employed by Ban Gru Club & Bar are found to have carried guns. (Photo by Chakkrapan Natanri)
Ban Gru, a popular pub in Khon Kaen's Muang district. (Photo by Chakkrapan Natanri)