Pattaya pub owner linked to dirty money

Chon Buri: The Royal Thai Police is urging the provincial governor to shut Club One Pattaya in Bang Lamung district for five years after linking the owner to drugs and money laundering.

Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, assistant national police chief, yesterday said his officers will probe financial transactions to track down the pub owner.

He said he has assigned the Police Forensic Science Office to find fingerprints on drugs in small plastic bags found at the scene for analysis.

A popular entertainment venue, Club One Pattaya, was raided in the early hours of Saturday. A number of drugs were confiscated, while roughly 200 Thai and foreign customers escaped.

Pol Lt Gen Panurat said Pattaya Police will check if the pub is legally operated.

According to reports, the owner is a Chinese man accused of being involved in money laundering and drugs.

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, another assistant national police chief, said police will press charges against any local officers suspected of taking bribes from the pub owner.