SURAT THANI: Forty-eight people -- 27 foreigners and 21 Thais -- were arrested during a raid on a birthday party held in violation of Covid-19 restrictions at a luxury resort on Koh Samui early yesterday.
A team of police, soldiers and local officials led by Samui district chief Theeraphong Chuaychoo raided the Maithy Pool Lounge & Restaurant, at a luxury residential and resort complex on a hill in tambon Bo Phud on the southern tourist island around 1am on Saturday.
They were acting on a tip off that a birthday party had been arranged at the venue. Such gatherings are against the emergency decree which remains in effect to deal with Covid-19.
Arrested and taken to Bo Phud station for legal proceedings were 27 foreign nationals -- 21 men and six women -- and 21 Thais -- three men and 18 women. Investigators seized alcohol as evidence.
Earlier, police raided two restaurants on the island for serving alcohol to customers.
Officers raided the Bamboo restaurant and Apple bar at around 9.30pm and found alcohol was being served to customers in violation of provincial authority orders.