Two unlicensed pubs in Krathu district of Phuket were raided early this morning (Thursday) by provincial administration officials and defence volunteers. Their owners were arrested.

The raids were led by Ronnarong Thipsiri, inspector-general of the Provincial Administration Department, in his capacity as chief of the department’s law enforcement operations centre, in response to complaints by people in the neighbourhood, claiming that the venues cause a nuisance due to the loud noise beyond the 2am legal closing time.

Before the raids, plainclothes officials visited the two pubs, which offer live bands alternating with DJs. The pubs remained in operation past 2am and had many customers, mostly Thais. The officials inside the venues then signalled others, who were waiting outside, to rush into the premises to make arrests.

Several customers tried to escape via the fire exit, but the officials told them to stay put and to remain calm. About 10 underage individuals were found in the pubs.

The owners of the pubs were charged with operating an entertainment venue without a license, selling liquor beyond the permissible hours and selling liquor to minors.

The raids represent a “slap in the face” for the local police because it is normally their job to ensure that pubs have operating licenses and close at 2am.