Pubdate: Mon, 07 Sep 2009
Source: Phuket Gazette (Thailand)
Copyright: 2009 Phuket Gazette Co. Ltd
Contact: http://phuketgazette.net/contactus/index.asp
Website: http://phuketgazette.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2769
Author: Kitima Pornmongkhonwat

PHUKET'S POLICE FIND NOTHING IN DRUG RAIDS

PHUKET CITY: Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop, some  top officials
and a lot of police officers crashed some  of Phuket City's most
popular parties on Friday night  -- on the hunt for drugs and weapons.

But those who fret about the loose morals of Thailand's  youth of
today will be relieved to find out the police  came out
empty-handed.

Gov Wichai, Vice Governor Smith Palawatvichai, Phuket  Public Health
Office officials, customs officers and  Phuket City Police took part
in the raids at the  Kortormor, Sofa and Blue Marina nightclubs.

Revelers were searched for drugs and weapons and  subjected to urine
testing.

Their identification papers were also checked to ensure  they were
over 18 years old.

Not one was found to be breaking the law.

Gov Wichai said that random searches were nevertheless  crucial in the
fight against crime.

"There are more than 300,000 people registered as  living here, as
well as a lot of tourists and foreign  workers," he said. "Our 1,000
police officers and 70  volunteers just aren't enough to check all the
 entertainment venues."

"That's why we carry out random searches," he said. "We  have to show
people we're serious in order to make them  obey the law."
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr