Top Lumpini station policemen transferred after restaurant raid

FOLLOWING a raid on a restaurant at Sukhumvit Plaza at the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 12 last Saturday (Oct. 16) the superintendent of Lumpini police station, two deputy chiefs and two inspectors were today transferred to the Metropolitan Police Division 5 office with new officers replacing them, Thai Rath newspaper said.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Sophon Sarapat, head of Metropolitan Police Division 5, transferred Pol. Col. Chakkrit Chosoongnoen, the station’s superintendent, Pol.Lt. Col. Chayachai Nathanakan and Pol. Lt. Col. Prachya Boonyuen, deputy superintendents, and Pol. Lt. Col. Ekarat Malawanno and Pol. Maj. Sittisak Sudhom, inspectors, after the division’s deputy commander Pol. Col. Theerachai Chamnanmor personally took a team of Lumpini policemen to raid XOXO restaurant on the plaza’s third floor.

In this raid the restaurant manager Mr. Sirichai (surname withheld) was arrested on the charges of violating Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E.2548 (2005) governing the sale of alcoholic beverages, Section 52 of Communicable Diseases Act 2558 (2015) and BMA Announcement No. 44 on restaurant opening hours.

The 116 diners were charged with joining a gathering of more than 50 people in the maximum and strict control zone that could lead to Covid-19 spreading.

Read earlier report: 116 Thais and foreigners rounded up in Sukhumvit restaurant raid

Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, head of the Metropolitan Police, said police in all districts must take action against entertainment venues that serve alcoholic beverages without exception because while Covid measures have been relaxed and these venues may now open for service, disease control measures have to be followed. 

Moreover sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is still prohibited and police have to take serious action and conduct random checks.

Regarding the raid on another pub in Ratchaprasong area at 10 p.m. on Monday night with 93 people arrested, 29 men and 64 women, he said that this raid was mounted after two warnings being issued is not considered a neglect of duty with there being guidelines in place for punishment.

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Patrons at XOXO restaurant rounded up on Saturday night. Photos: Sanook.com