February 13th, 2008, 15:50
I was in Villa Rouge/Kaos last night 12th February, when two policemen, a man in camouflage uniform and an official in civilian clothes entered shortly after 11pm and blew a whistle to stop the music, then group all the dancers on the stage. All the farangs were then permitted to leave, but those with Thai friends accompanying them had to depart without them. Furthermore, other adult oriental customers were also detained.
After leaving the bar, I stayed nearby and witnessed similar raids being made on all other establishments throughout the area, go-go bars and beer bars alike. The real purpose behind these raids is still unclear to me, but the manner in which they were conducted upset me considerably. The most obvious outcome was the herding of all Thais, over 100 of them, from these establishments as well as from the street to be corralled in front of the Don Plaza corner and made to sit on the ground, waiting to have their urine tested, obviously for drugs. Presumably they were also checked for ID purposes.
During this process, the surrounding area was full of farangs looking on, as well as the media recording the event. The fact that most of those detained were innocent of anything was irrelevant, they were all treated in the same humiliating fashion. About two hours after the raid started, the first tranche of about 20 unfortunate Thais were marched away to be taken elsewhere, presumably having failed their test or had suspect ID.
What purpose these raids, or indeed the ones in May and August last year, have is beyond me. Maybe they serve some political or media purpose, but sure as hell, they fail to prevent most of the same people continuing their use of drugs. In August, the eventual outcome was the lengthy closures of various bars, as if they were responsible for their employees personal habits. To expect a bar to check every employee every day for drugs is unrealistic, yet they and their customers must suffer for some higher edict.
I trust that no bars are ordered to be shut for the remainder of the high season as they merely provide us with entertainment and friendly company to farangs and other customers.
After leaving the bar, I stayed nearby and witnessed similar raids being made on all other establishments throughout the area, go-go bars and beer bars alike. The real purpose behind these raids is still unclear to me, but the manner in which they were conducted upset me considerably. The most obvious outcome was the herding of all Thais, over 100 of them, from these establishments as well as from the street to be corralled in front of the Don Plaza corner and made to sit on the ground, waiting to have their urine tested, obviously for drugs. Presumably they were also checked for ID purposes.
During this process, the surrounding area was full of farangs looking on, as well as the media recording the event. The fact that most of those detained were innocent of anything was irrelevant, they were all treated in the same humiliating fashion. About two hours after the raid started, the first tranche of about 20 unfortunate Thais were marched away to be taken elsewhere, presumably having failed their test or had suspect ID.
What purpose these raids, or indeed the ones in May and August last year, have is beyond me. Maybe they serve some political or media purpose, but sure as hell, they fail to prevent most of the same people continuing their use of drugs. In August, the eventual outcome was the lengthy closures of various bars, as if they were responsible for their employees personal habits. To expect a bar to check every employee every day for drugs is unrealistic, yet they and their customers must suffer for some higher edict.
I trust that no bars are ordered to be shut for the remainder of the high season as they merely provide us with entertainment and friendly company to farangs and other customers.