PHUKET — Law enforcement teams raided two major unlicensed nightlife venues in Thalang district late Sunday night, seizing records and arresting key operators. Interior Ministry officials launched Operation Andaman Lockdown before midnight after local residents filed detailed complaints regarding illicit foreign operations.
Law enforcement officers stormed the CLC pub and The Black Bar while foreign tourists packed both venues. Undercover intelligence reports had already confirmed that both clubs operated without valid entertainment licenses and violated legal alcohol service hours.
| Key Takeaways
• Provincial task forces raided CLC pub and The Black Bar in Thalang for unlicensed operations, illicit liquor sales, and labor breaches. • Investigators caught multinational staff from Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and Myanmar working without legal permits across both venues. • Authorities suspect foreign syndicates used Thai proxy shareholders to launder illicit capital and bypass statutory business caps. |
Midnight Raids Catch Foreign Staff Without Permits
Territorial defense squads secured the perimeters of CLC in Srisunthon and The Black Bar in Thepkrasattri during the simultaneous tactical assault. Inside CLC, investigators detained managers, disc jockeys, floor dancers, and security guards from Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and Myanmar.
Phuket Provincial Employment Office inspectors immediately reviewed every worker’s status, while Phuket Immigration officials examined personal travel documents and visas. Inspectors discovered that most foreign workers held improper visa classes or performed roles outside their legal work authorization permits.
Meanwhile, provincial officers cited The Black Bar management for operating an unlicensed venue and serving alcohol far past statutory cut-off times. Task force leaders collected cash registers, shift rosters, and digital point-of-sale logs before locking down the physical premises.
Anti-Money Laundering Office Probes Secret Ownership
Investigators now suspect that real foreign proprietors concealed their ownership through puppet Thai nominees to circumvent strict commercial investment restrictions. Corporate records showed CLC registered under an individual Thai woman as sole director, yet intelligence links funding to Ukrainian investors.
The Department of Provincial Administration officially partnered with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to trace all bank accounts, wire deposits, and capital inflows. AMLO forensic accountants will scrutinize commercial records to uncover hidden foreign controllers and track potential illicit funds funnelled through the businesses.
Consequently, provincial authorities will submit formal recommendations to Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom demanding a mandatory five-year closure order against both establishments. DOPA reaffirmed that joint task forces will expand inspections across Phuket to dismantle illegal corporate nominee networks.
