The Tipsy Corner bar, located inside the OTOP Market on Rat-Uthit 200 Pi Rd, was raided by Patong Police officers at 9.40pm yesterday (Aug 24), Patong Police reported on Facebook.
"Patong Police Station inspects service facilities to check for the employment of children under the age of 18 in order to prevent human trafficking," reads the first line of the report.
Three violations were discovered at the Tipsy Corner, according to Patong Police:
- Operating a service establishment without permission;
- Selling liquor without permission;
- Allowing children under the age of 18 to work in a service establishment.
A person identified in the report only as Ms Waraporn was arrested in connection with the aforementioned violations. However, Patong Police did not elaborate on Ms Waraporn’s role in the Tipsy Corner’s business. One piece of evidence was seized, namely a “cash bill indicating service fees for drinks as a guest.”
The raid on Tipsy Corner yesterday (Aug 24) followed officers having raided at least three massage shops on Aug 7, Aug 12 and Aug 14.
In the report of the third massage shop raid, Patong Police plainly stated that the crackdown on these types of venues was enforced “in order to prevent prostitution at workplace among other unlawful acts.”