ACCORDING to the Bangkok Post of 16 August, Thai police raided an illegal karaoke bar in Bangkok and conducted drug tests on around 100 people, among whom 41 Myanmar nationals were found to have used narcotic drugs.
The raid was carried out on Friday night by officers from Wang Thonglang Police Station at an unnamed bar located in an alley beside the Town in Town Hotel on Srivara Road, Bangkok, where a birthday party was being held. It was discovered that 41 Myanmar nationals at the gathering had taken narcotics.
The Bangkok Post, citing Thai police sources, reported that the bar was operating without a licence and owned by a 48-year-old Thai national named Paphankun.
Bangkok police stated that they are continuing to monitor illegal businesses in certain parts of the city and regularly carry out such inspections. In this instance, the raid targeted a karaoke bar selling energy drinks and narcotic drugs.
The Thai police announced that those arrested would be prosecuted for drug consumption, trafficking, and violations of national laws, while undocumented migrants would also face action under the Immigration Law.
The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has been consistently issuing public reminders on social media urging Myanmar citizens in Thailand to reside lawfully. It was also learnt that the Embassy is preparing to provide necessary assistance regarding this incident.
Thai media noted that this case has once again drawn attention to issues of cross-border drug trafficking and illegal labour migration between Thailand and Myanmar.
Htun Htun/KNN
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