Chiang Mai—
On November 3rd, 2023, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) officers were dispatched to investigate an entertainment venue allegedly opened beyond legally prescribed hours in Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, the Deputy Commissioner of PACC, publicly revealed the incident to Thai Media when the Chang Phueak police officers, performing a random field inspection of the entertainment district in Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, allegedly found a Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) official drinking past the legal closing service time on November 2nd at an unidentified entertainment venue.
The purpose of the field inspection was to prevent quarrels and illegal selling of liquor beyond legally prescribed hours.
“If PACC officers can prove that the entertainment venue opened beyond legally prescribed hours without legal stoppage from an alleged DOPA official, it is considered neglect of performing one’s legal duties,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat.
Meanwhile, representatives from DOPA reportedly stated that the official in question, who has not been identified, was merely “eating” as the venue also provides a restaurant and not drinking past the legal time, so according to them not breaking any laws. They claimed the official was off-duty and busy eating and therefore could not possibly observe any illegal actions allegedly taking place in regards to others drinking past the legal time.
As of press time the situation continues to be investigated by both agencies with some social media users calling the situation a storm in a teacup.
