Authorities launched a raid on a Chinese pub in Huai Khwang district that operated until dawn without a license. The venue had been previously shut down but reopened. Three visitors tested positive for drugs, and narcotics were found. The establishment is believed to be funded by Chinese investors.
At 01:40 on 29 Aug 2026, Mr. Ponpee Suwanchavee (Interior Ministry Deputy 2), along with Mr. Warasit Liangprasit (Interior Ministry Deputy 4), Deputy Minister of Interior, and Mr. Ronarong Tipsiri, Director of the Law Enforcement Operations Center, led a joint operation. The special task force DOPA S.W.A.T. teamed up with Huai Khwang Police Station officers, including Police Colonel Sorasak Thongmee, Chief of Huai Khwang Police, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekarat Malawanno, Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation at Huai Khwang Police, to launch the operation. The operation was named “Singh Prap Mangkon Tamila” (Lion Conquers the Dark Dragon). They conducted a search of the entertainment venue. “577 CLUB” Also known as the Chinese Pub in Huai Khwang, located in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, after intelligence indicated it operated until early morning and lacked a service license in official records.
Upon arrival, officials found the pub still operating normally with many visitors drinking alcohol and vaping inside. Officers ordered the music stopped and lights turned on to separate and test visitors' urine for drugs. They found a total of 132 visitors: 65 Thai nationals and 67 Chinese nationals. Among them, three tested positive for drugs: one Thai man, one Hong Kong woman, and one Hong Kong man.
Initially, authorities detained those individuals for legal action. The venue had 67 staff: 62 Thai and 5 Vietnamese employees. A thorough search around the area uncovered ketamine packaged in clear plastic bags with straws hidden in the downstairs women's restroom and on a visitor's table. These items were seized as evidence.
Mr. Ponpee stated that this entertainment venue had been raided last year but continued to attract visitors. Further investigation suggested Chinese ownership. Various systems, including cashier QR code payments, used Chinese applications such as Alipay and WeChat. The MC staff were also Chinese, entertaining and managing issues like broken glasses. There was a considerable number of foreign workers. Drugs were found in the restroom and on tables, with visitors testing positive for narcotics and vaping devices present. This is disappointing; the venue should not be allowed to operate. The labor and expenses are managed via Chinese apps.
However, suspicion remains regarding Mr. Chat, who claims to be the owner but has a phantom shareholder named Joe Dos., whom Mr. Chat says is a police officer. Mr. Ponpee said he does not know who this person is and asked the Huai Khwang Police Chief to investigate because this individual allegedly helps keep the venue open despite last year's closure order, violating the National Council for Peace and Order's regulations. The venue has no service license, and it's unknown if building permits were obtained.
This arrest was conducted by the Department of Provincial Administration's special social order enforcement task force, including the DOPA S.W.A.T. team. Mr. Warasit, Interior Ministry Deputy 4, joined the mission to observe the complaints firsthand. The issue concerns unlicensed entertainment venues in Bangkok, which have been reported repeatedly. Authorities do not want incidents like fires to recur. Mr. Warasit will further inspect permits, foreign labor, and financial records, emphasizing that reopening after closure is unacceptable.
When asked about nominee involvement with the venue, Mr. Ponpee expressed confidence there was a connection because the managers and customer service staff are Chinese, as are the Chinese apps used. No Thai businessperson would run a business and send money abroad like this. He warned relevant officials to be vigilant, stating that the Ministry of Interior must take direct action. He stressed that this government is clear in addressing gray-area businesses exploiting Thais and diverting income overseas. Similar cases exist elsewhere and are under investigation with identified targets.