Bangkok: Huai Khwang police have taken the owner of a clandestine pub in the Huai Khwang area into custody and remanded him to court, denying bail. They are also urgently investigating buildings in the area, fearing the illegal operation of such an establishment.
According to Thai News Agency, investigators from Huai Khwang Police Station took Mr. Somchai, the owner of a clandestine pub in the Huai Khwang area that police raided on Saturday morning, to the Central Tax Court to request a 12-day detention order. The reason for the detention request is that the suspect is charged with offenses related to e-cigarettes.
Mr. Somchai, the Thai-Burmese shop owner, has been remanded in custody on multiple serious charges, including possession of cocaine for sale, possession of a Category 2 psychoactive substance (ketamine) for sale without permission, possession of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine, ice, and ecstasy) for sale without permission, aiding in concealing, purchasing, receiving, or possessing prohibited items such as e-cigarettes with knowledge that they are prohibited, operating an unlicensed establishment, and violating the opening and closing times stipulated in his license.
As for Mr. Phatthana, a former employee of the shop, he was remanded in custody on charges of possessing a Category 2 controlled substance, ketamine, without permission, and offenses related to e-cigarettes.
During initial questioning, both suspects confessed to all charges due to overwhelming evidence. The investigating officers opposed bail, fearing they might interfere with evidence or flee. As for the other nine suspects, whose urine tested positive for drugs, the investigating officers have sent them for drug rehabilitation on their behalf.
Regarding Huai Khwang Police Station, the area where the incident occurred, following the raid on a clandestine pub by police from outside the jurisdiction, an order has been issued to increase patrol vigilance in the area. This is due to concerns that some locations that appear normal on the outside may be secretly operating illegal businesses or engaging in other activities inside.