BANGKOK — 10 October 2026, Thai authorities raided an unlicensed nightclub on Bangkok’s Khao San Road early Saturday, finding 102 patrons, including 30 people under 20 and a 15-year-old, as well as 31 people who tested positive for drugs. Investigators also found firearms, suspected narcotics and nitrous oxide balloons, while records allegedly showed monthly payments of more than 177,000 baht to multiple agencies.
The raid took place at about 03:30 at OK Bar on Khao San Road in Talat Yot subdistrict, Phra Nakhon district. Deputy Interior Minister Phonphir Suwannachiw led the operation alongside Department of Provincial Administration officials and a special operations team under an operation dubbed “Singh Pha Det Suek.”
Authorities acted on reports that the venue was operating without a licence, selling alcohol beyond permitted hours, allowing minors to enter and allegedly permitting drug use and the sale of balloons filled with nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
The venue occupied the second floor of a two-storey building and featured a large hall, a stage for live music and several customer areas. Alcohol was sold and entertainment provided. Four to six security guards were stationed at the entrance, but officials said there were no ID checks or searches for weapons before patrons entered.
During the inspection, officers noticed some patrons repeatedly leaving the same bathroom. They subsequently found plastic straws believed to have been used to hold drugs and white powder resembling narcotics scattered across the bathroom floor.
Officials also reported seeing numerous customers under 20 ordering alcoholic drinks, while balloons filled with laughing gas were allegedly being sold to patrons.
A check of the official licensing database found that OK Bar had no licence to operate as an entertainment venue. Authorities said its activities, including alcohol sales, music, performances and dancing on stage or around tables, met the legal definition of an entertainment venue requiring a licence.
The raid found 102 patrons, including 30 people under 20 — 20 men and 10 women. One was just 15 years old.
Urine tests returned positive results for 31 patrons, including four people under 20, as well as two employees identified as DJs. Officers also seized one firearm with ammunition, an imitation firearm, suspected drugs scattered across the venue and balloons with equipment believed to be associated with nitrous oxide use.
Investigators said they had found records allegedly documenting monthly payments of more than 177,000 baht to several agencies. The allegation is under investigation.
The venue’s manager was detained and sent to investigators to face charges including operating an entertainment venue without a licence, selling alcohol outside permitted hours, selling alcohol to people under 20, encouraging inappropriate behaviour by children, violating alcohol promotion restrictions, breaching food and product regulations, importing food for sale without permission and selling modern medicines without a licence.
Officials also found that the Phra Nakhon District Office had ordered the venue to suspend operations on 4 August 2026 after identifying potential public health, safety and fire hazards. Despite the order, the venue was reportedly still operating.
The Department of Provincial Administration said it would ask the Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner to order the venue closed for five years under National Council for Peace and Order Order No. 22/2015.
People who tested positive for drugs and the substances found at the venue were being handled separately under the narcotics law and other relevant legislation. Authorities said they would investigate the source of the drugs and identify suspected suppliers and others involved.
Metropolitan police order internal probe
Separately, Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Worasak Phisitbanakorn, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, to investigate whether local officers had failed to perform their duties in connection with the raid.
If negligence or other shortcomings are found, disciplinary action may be considered, including transferring officers to the division’s operations centre while the matter is examined.
The commissioner also ordered Metropolitan Police Divisions 1 through 9 to inspect similar venues and take action against establishments that allow underage customers, drug use or firearms on their premises. He warned that officers responsible for the areas could face disciplinary consequences if violations were found and negligence established.
The Interior Ministry and Department of Provincial Administration said they would continue enforcing the law against illegal entertainment venues. Members of the public can report complaints to district or provincial Damrongtham centres or call the Interior Ministry’s 1567 hotline, which operates 24 hours a day.