On Wednesday night, police arrested at least 30 customers reportedly found drinking alcohol in a Pattaya pub for violating the disease control order and Covid-19 restrictions.
A police patrol reviewing the city’s readiness for the 2021 Pattaya Music Festival 2021 decided to raid the Lisa On The Beach pub around 10:00 p.m. after hearing loud music coming from the venue, said Chon Buri police’s deputy chief Pol Col Methawit Praditphol.
Officials stated that at least 30 pub-goers, including Thais and foreigners, were at the bar.
People appeared to have been drinking while dancing, breaking social distancing rules and restrictions on public gatherings that can spread Covid-19.
After ordering the pub staff to turn off the music, law enforcement agents reportedly found alcoholic beverages served in opaque colored plastic cups.
While authorities recently eased several restrictions, allowing some establishments to serve food until 11:00 p.m., alcoholic beverages are still banned in most Thai provinces.
In Pattaya, restaurants and venues that sell alcoholic drinks can be penalized even though other tourist areas -such as Phuket, Krabi, or Bangkok- have seen relaxed controls on alcohol selling.
Additionally, current rules state that all bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues must remain closed.
Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem recently said that more than 80% of the city’s residents had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. However, strict lockdown measures have remained in place.
The Chon Buri Communicable Diseases Committee stated that authorities planned to develop some rules to allow the bar and entertainment sector to resume operations. However, no deadline has been given for the industry’s reopening.
After Wednesday’s night raid, the pub’s owner was arrested and taken to the Pattaya Police Station, where he will face legal action.
As for the arrested clients and staff, police officers said they had not been immediately named but would face multiple legal charges related to the incident.
Local media reported that senior police and provincial officials had met with pub and restaurant operators on November 2 to discuss the relaxed rules. However, business owners continue asking the government to authorize alcohol selling in restaurants to rekindle Pattaya’s famous nightlife.
