More than 100 police officers raided 20 gay bars and go go bars in the Sunee area last night, seemingly to check for drugs and under-age workers.  This is the start of a 30-day crackdown covering many parts of Pattaya, according to Police Maj. Gen. Katcha Thartsart. There was even a major ceremony held to announce the crackdown. This is largely a result of the rising crime rate against Russian tourists and the need to counter adverse media which might affect Russians planning to visit Pattaya.

 

30 male and female bar workers were arrested following urine tests.

 

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/01/09/soi-sunee-bars-raided-by-cops-during-crackdown/

I am certainly not against such raids, but surely the reason given is spurious. I say 'surely' because the kinds of people who commit a crime against any tourist, not just Russians, are unlikely to be those in employment. Yes, I know some are freelancers but I cannot imagine them preferring to commit a crime (with the high risk they will be caught and given a stiff fine or sent to jail) over the chance to mingle with falung in the relative safety of Sunee.

I don't get it.

 

1 Sunnee does not seem to be a hot spot for Russian tourists.

 

2 There's one gogo bar which almost specializes in under age, yet unfortunately it is still open.

 

3 Sex industry workers in Sunnee take drugs, but those working in Boyztown never do, right?  Er.....

This is largely a result of the rising crime rate against Russian tourists and the need to counter adverse media which might affect Russians planning to visit Pattaya.

How on earth does this raid decrease the crimes against Russians? TIT

The raids aren't specifically focused on drugs, although we all know that drugs and criminal behavior match pretty well.

In the Bangkok Post it was mentioned, that Thailand's Police Chief announced a one month of full force actions against crime; and especially crimes against tourists.

 

Of course, this was translated by the Pattaya BiB by raiding bars with a doubtful reputation.

I think it is simple why Sunee is raided more often.   The tea money paid to the BIB is probably less then elsewhere, or the other bar areas has better connections with the local elected Mafia running the city.

I imagine raids on Sunee gain greater PR. And government officials and police departments love that kind of publicity. "See, we're doing something about it!" The fact that precious little is accomplished is far less important than the headlines. Appearance over substance.

Appearance over substance.

 

More like "appearance over substance-abuse."