According to Akara Suwattikul of the Phuket Provincial Defense Office, the raid at Crystal Club on Bangla Rd was order by no less than Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Somprat Prabsongkram and Kathu District Chief Thitiwat Boonkit.
Reporting the raid, Mr Akara emphasised that Governor Narong is serious about dealing with smuggling, sale and distribution of various substances and items deemed illegal in Thailand. Thus, having received a complaint about Crystal Club offering shisha, officials went there and conducted an inspection.
The allegations turned out to be true, as upon entering the club at around 11.30pm officials supported by Territorial Defense Volunteer (OrSor) personnel saw people smoking shisha and staff serving them the illegal product.
One young staff member presented herself as the ‘manager/keeper’ of the venue and thus was taken to Patong Police Station to face charges of breaching the Tobacco Control Act and Customs Act which are commonly applied to all violations having to do with shisha, hookah, electronic cigarettes, nicotine or non-nicotine liquids, vaping devices and accessories.
Mr Akara did not elaborate on any possible consequences for Crystal Club as a venue. Similary, nothing was said about the patrons of the club who were found smoking shisha and thus techincally buying and using goods, brought into Thailand illegally. The latter can be of certain importance for foreign visitor of Phuket as disrespecting Thai laws can now result in a yellow (warning) or red (deportation) card from Phuket Immigration.