Nightclub manager arrested in Phuket: alcohol and minors!

Nightclub manager arrested in Phuket: alcohol and minors!

Things are currently going on in Phuket: a well-known nightclub is being targeted by the police. On October 22, 2025, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in collaboration with the Anti-Human Trafficking Department (Bokem), arrested a manager of a local establishment in Talad Yai Township. The allegations are serious: operating a service business without a license, selling alcoholic beverages to people under 20, and even inciting minors to engage in inappropriate behavior. Police became aware of the situation after it was discovered that young people were consuming alcohol in the club - a clear breach of the law.

Over 200 guests, including both men and women, were at the club at the time in question to enjoy live music and dancing. A search not only uncovered the illegal alcohol dispenser, but also revealed the dilemma of not having the necessary permits to run the business. Instead of a proper license, the police only found a permit to sell category 2 alcohol.

Crackdown on Russian business practices

The arrest of the nightclub manager is part of a larger offensive against illegal businesses in Phuket. Under the slogan “Operation Nominee Sweep”, police carried out a massive raid on the orders of the Prime Minister, resulting in the arrest of 98 foreigners and 37 Thais. The target was an extensive network that was closely linked to Russian business interests. Loud ThaiExaminer Assets worth 1.5 billion baht were seized during this operation, including hundreds of properties and bank accounts.

The raid is not entirely unfounded: Since the start of the Ukraine war, many Russian investors have settled in Phuket, sparking local unease. Not least due to complaints from local business owners to the government, highlighting the problems posed by such an increase in foreigners. Among those arrested is a central figure in the network - a 45-year-old Russian woman who worked as a director in 272 companies.

A look at the dark side of the industry

But the problems in Phuket are not just limited to illegal businesses. History shows that prostitution has been widespread in Thailand since the 1960s, despite a ban. Estimates speak of up to 400,000 sex workers who have to live in precarious conditions and often without any protection. In tourist hotspots such as Pattaya and Bangkok, sex trafficking is tolerated despite existing laws, posing an ongoing challenge for local authorities.

Laws passed in 1996 to prevent and suppress prostitution often appear to be ineffective, and corruption within the police force does the rest. Women in the sex industry face stigma, violence and exploitation. The debate in Thailand increasingly revolves around the issue of legalizing prostitution, while human trafficking remains a serious problem.

Current events in Phuket are therefore not only a response to specific incidents, but also raise larger questions about the economy and social conditions in Thailand. It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the ongoing challenges.

For more information on these topics you can read the articles on Line Today, ThaiExaminer and Weekly flash read up.