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The Criminal Court has refused bail for the Diamond KTV owner and 52 patrons, many of whom are Chinese nationals, on the grounds that alleged drug abuse poses a threat to society.
All 53 suspects were brought before the court on Sunday by Makkasan police after being arrested late on Friday night, ordering them to remain in custody while investigations are underway. Several illegal drugs such as ketamine, cocaine, ecstasy and happy water were found on the premises, along with drug paraphernalia.
The proprietor, a 34-year-old Chinese man identified as Nui Oi, was charged with operating an entertainment venue without a license, selling alcohol without a license, selling alcohol outside of legally permitted hours, and allowing customers to bring weapons and drugs onto the premises.
Makkasan police have divided the 53 suspects into three groups. The first group consisted of 18 Chinese and Thai clients who were charged with possession of Class 1 drugs. The second group consisted of 23 Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Laotian and Burmese nationals who were charged with possession of Class 1 and Class 2 drugs. The third group consisted of 11 Chinese nationals charged with possession of Class 1 Narcotics and Class 1 Psychotropic Substances.
All of the suspects applied for bail, which ranged from 50,000 to 75,000 baht each, but the court rejected all applications, citing the seriousness of the crimes they allegedly committed.
Immediately after officers from the Child and Women’s Protection Division raided the Diamond KTV karaoke bar, the superintendent and deputy superintendent of the Makkasan police station were transferred to idle posts at the Royal Thai Police Operations Center pending disciplinary investigation.
The Huigong King District Administration has ordered the closure of the building housing the entertainment venue for five years and will not issue a permit to use the building during that time.
The building used to be a massage parlor which closed due to poor business. A Thai man, believed to be the nominee of a Chinese businessman, sought permission to open a karaoke bar in the building but was turned down. The pub was operating illegally anyway until it was raided last Friday.
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