Several senior officers from Bangkok’s Lumpini Police Station have been re-assigned following numerous raids on eating places promoting alcohol. The 5 officers have been named by the Pattaya News as Chakkrit Chosoongnoen, Chayachai Nathanakan, Prachya Boonyuen, Ekkarat Malawanno, and Sittisak Sudhom. They are accused of turning a blind eye to venues violating Covid-19 restrictions by permitting the sale and consumption of alcohol on-site.
Raids have been happening on a near-daily basis, as police crack down on such violations. Bars and nightlife throughout the nation have been ordered shut since April, with the CCSA insisting they’ve the potential to be Covid-19 “super-spreader” venues. Restaurants are open however prohibited from selling alcohol, with limited exceptions for tourism locations such as Phuket, Khao Lak, and Koh Samui.
Having lived with the order for 7 months now, enterprise house owners are becoming impatient, with many flouting the principles and in some instances, being ignored by the police. This decision to look the other method is believed to be behind the newest re-assignment of Bangkok officers. โซล่าเซลล์ reports that it occurred in the aftermath of a raid on the XOXO restaurant in the Sukhumvit district, by which 116 Thai and international customers were arrested, along with the supervisor of the venue.
Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner, Samran Nuanma, says such arrests will proceed for as long as businesses violate the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol.
“Although restaurants at the moment are allowed to be re-opened, selling and consuming alcohol is still completely unlawful beneath the implementation of the Emergency Decree in many of the country. Bars, golf equipment, and nightlife are closed, and opening them is towards the legislation. Police will proceed their investigations and watch over suspicious establishments closely. Violators in all cases must be prosecuted under the regulation with out exception, this contains prospects and foreigners as we’ve been very clear about the guidelines. Claiming one doesn’t know the rules isn’t an excuse.”
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