150 partygoers in Pattaya nabbed for drugs

Partygoers wait by a pool in Pattaya after authorities raided the venue on Saturday night. (Photo by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

CHON BURI -- A team of 50 military and police officers on Saturday night raided an entertainment venue in Pattaya and detained 150 partygoers who tested positive for banned substances.

The raid, led by Naris Niramaiwong, the Bang Lamung district chief, and Pol Col Apichai Krobphet, the Pattaya police chief, was launched at 11.30pm on The Cliff Pool Club on Kasetsin Road in Pattaya's tambon Nong Prue after a tipoff that the venue hosted "drug parties".

About 150 people, both Thais and foreigners, were attending a poolside party when the authorities arrived.

The partygoers were rounded up and given urine tests. 150 people -- 90 men and 60 women -- tested positive for various kinds of drugs. They were taken to Bang Lamung police station to be screened for further legal action.

In a search, the authorities recovered 80 grammes of ketamine, 80 ecstasy pills and 90 "Happy Five" tranquilliser pills.

Piyapong Poynok, 33, the party organiser, and Jirapong Promdam, 24, who identified himself as being in charge of the venue, were charged with operating an establishment without a permit for the use of drugs, and allowing people below 18 years old to attend.

Mr Naris said the party had been promoted on Facebook, inviting revellers to attend with an admission fee of 300 baht.