[Nicke]

Immigration Police arrest Englishman suspected or managing a go-go bar without a work permit

PATTAYA: -- Police Captain Jackgrit from Pattaya’s Immigration Department assembled a team of officers and went to the Diamond Go-Go Bar in Soi Diamond off of Walking Street after receiving information from an informant that an English Man was managing the bar without a work permit.

Police arrested Mr. Richard Clearland aged 56 who Police suspected was the Manager of the venue.

Joining him at the Immigration Department was Khun Akaradet the license holder. Both fully cooperated with officers who charged Mr. Clearland with working in the Kingdom of Thailand without a Work Permit. It was not made clear to us the penalties the bar and Mr. Clearland will face.

Walking Street Beer Bars closed by Pattaya’s Chief of Police in Late night raid

PATTAYA: -- It is widely known in Pattaya that after the go-go bars and disco’s close Beer Bar’s normally remain open, sometimes all night, should you wish to continue your evening drinking and enjoying the nightlife of Pattaya. Although these beer bars and strictly breaking the law, this practice has been tolerated by Police until now.

Police Colonel Somnook, Pattaya’s Police Chief was on patrol along Walking Street at 4am when he noticed beer bars still serving alcohol. He decided to stop them serving and arrested the offending bar managers.

We understand that three bars along the street received particular attention and the managers of each were taken back to Pattaya Police Station along with one foreign man charged with public order offences after he had said a little too much to one of the officers.

It is unclear if this is a new policy of Pattaya Police to ensure that Beer Bars close at the same time as other venues or whether this was a one off and raids such as these will not happen again.

--PCN 2005-06-10