Police Raid Two Illegal Bars In Bangkok, Find Drug Use
Police raided two unlicensed bars in Bangkok's Pathumwan District early July 5, finding over 100 foreign tourists and discovering drug use, illegal foreign workers, and labor violations during the operation.
At 12:30 a.m. on July 5, 2026, Pol. Col. Yingyos Suwanno, commander of Lumpini Police Station, led over 50 officers from the Lumpini Police Station working jointly with the Narcotics Control Board, Department of Employment, Immigration Bureau, and military intelligence to raid two entertainment venues in Ratchadamri Soi 1, Lumpini Subdistrict, Pathumwan District, Bangkok. The operation was prompted by reports that the establishments were being run by foreign nationals and may have been operating illegally.
The operation was observed by Angkhana Niyomwichai, a Member of Parliament and spokesperson for the Anti-Money Laundering and Narcotics Committee; Pirapol Kanokwilai, a Member of Parliament and spokesperson for the National Security Committee; and Anon Klinkhaew, chairman of the Institute for the Protection of the Monarchy Center, who monitored the officials' performance.
During the inspections, officers found over 100 foreign tourists of both genders inside the bars, most of whom appeared intoxicated. Officials conducted drug screening tests on their urine samples and found one tourist with positive results for drug use. Both entertainment venues were found to lack business licenses, having only recently opened for operations. The managers and staff supervisors were Thai nationals.
Additionally, officials discovered violations related to foreign workers. Some employees had work permits that did not match their registered employers, and some were engaged in professions reserved for Thai nationals. A total of 15 foreign workers and one tourist who tested positive for drugs were charged. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other involved parties and the individuals behind the illegal operations.
