Khon Kaen: Four senior police officers at Muang police station have been transferred to inactive posts after a recent raid on a night entertainment venue by a special task found almost 150 underage customers.
Pol Maj Gen Thanasak Ritthidet, deputy commissioner of Police Region 4, said the transfer order was signed by the Khon Kaen provincial police office and remains intact until further notice.
According to Pol Maj Gen Thanasak, the night entertainment venue in question was raided before and its operator was charged with running the premises without permission.
He said when the special task force raided the venue and found it violated rules, the police in charge of the area must be held responsible.
Named in the order are Pol Col Chamlong Suwalak, superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen police station; Pol Lt Col Phusayam Larangsit, deputy superintendent in charge of suppression; Pol Lt Col Surat Wantamat, a crime suppression inspector; and Pol Lt Col Wissanu Chanpol, an investigating inspector.
Pol Lt Col Ekkalak Boonsaengcharoen, deputy superintendent, has not been transferred because he was attending training during the raid, said Pol Maj Gen Thanasak.
According to the deputy commissioner, a fact-finding investigation has been ordered against the four officers. The probe is expected to be completed within 30 days.
Pol Col Direk Jitaram, deputy chief of Khon Kaen provincial police office, is serving as acting chief of Muang police station while Pol Lt Col Jamorn Andee, deputy superintendent of Tha Phra police station, is serving as acting deputy chief of the station.
The raid was carried out by a special task force led by interior officials at an entertainment venue called "Ban Kru" located in the Muang municipal area at 2am on May 13.
A total of 160 people were rounded up during the raid, according to Pol Maj Gen Thanasak. Of them, 146 were under 20 including three who were only 14.
Fourteen people tested positive for narcotics and three security guards were arrested for allegedly carrying firearms when they were found with 9mm guns in their possession.