#Thailand - Police in trouble after raid finds mass #Drug use.

An official conducts a test on urine samples from customers at a night entertainment venue in Bangkok’s Khao San area following a raid by authorities early yesterday. Sixty-six samples tested positive to illicit drugs. 

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THE Metropolitan Police have set up a committee to investigate possible negligence at the Chana Songkhram police station following a raid by non-police authorities on a night entertainment venue in Bangkok’s Khao San area early yesterday.

A total of 59 customers were found to be under the legal age of 20, |while urine samples from 66 customers tested positive for illicit drugs.

The authorities involved in the raid also found a lot of equipment said to be used for taking drugs.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn said yesterday that he had ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee to determine whether any officers at the Chana Songkhram police station, which has jurisdiction over Khao San area, should be held responsible for negligence.

Anyone found to have been negligent in carrying out their duties would face disciplinary action, he added.

National police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday thanked the various agencies from the Interior Ministry that were involved in the raid.

He said the Royal Thai Police had measures to take action against the responsible local police officials found to have been negligent.

Most of the authorities involved in the raid on the Zed Club nightspot came from the Local Administration Department of the Interior Ministry. The club is located opposite the Bowornniwet Temple in Phra Nakhon district.

Many of the customers rounded up during the raid were found to be below the legal age. 

Twenty-five of them are aged under 18, with a few as young |as 16, according to the ministry.

Of those who tested positive for drugs, 25 people are under 18.

Drugs including ketamine and Ecstasy were found abandoned on the floor and in toilets.

The raid came after the authorities received complaints from parents that their children gathered at the club and took drugs.

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Source - TheNation

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Thailand - Metropolitan police chief tells foreigners to carry passports at all times

BANGKOK:-- Police have called on foreigners to carry their passports with them at all times in order to help officers crackdown on transnational crime.

On Friday evening, officers from Lumpini and Thonglor police raided entertainment venues and set up two police checkpoints in order to ensure that foreigners were carrying either their original passport or a photocopy with them.

The operation led by Pol. Lt. Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, Metropolitan Police Commander, saw raids on 15 entertainment venues.

Pol. Lt. Gen Sanit also revealed that passport control checkpoints were set up outside the Grace Hotel, Soi Nana and the Asoke Montri intersection.

The police commander, told reporters that the operation had been to focus on foreigners who may be involved in crime.

He added that following the raids and passport checks, everything went smoothly and no one was found to be breaking the rules.

“The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because many entertainment venues which attract foreign tourists are located in these areas. And since many foreigners visit these areas I’m afraid some of them might have ill-intentions to be involved in dark business, or even crimes, especially trans-national crime.

“This operation also helps to boost confidence between tourists and the security forces”, he added.

“I also want to ask for cooperation from all tourists to carry their passports or a photocopy every time when they go out.”