It is time to straight out again matters about Chalong Patak Road bars!
They are always open after official closing time.Often till 4 AM!
They cause noise trouble for people living around and need to sleep at night.
It is were a chalong police officer last time shot a bar waitress at 4 AM! ( we never heard anymore about this murder case).
It is well known that chalong police officers have financial participation at bars at that location. It seems hard to wipe out and clean up this a-social and very corrupt corner of Chalong.
There is overwhelming proof of bar opening times violations, just 500 meters from Chalong police station.
When will this be investigated and corrected? Why thai authorities allow all this crap?
If, by thai law, the bar closing time was respected, than last year the bar waitress was not murdered by a police officer, the finnish guy runned over by a drunk thai on Patak road would be still alive, and last night murder would not have happened.

All this happened after official closing time of bars. And it goes on and on. Very influential people must own that stretch of Chalong Patak Rd.

Posted by Kurt on June 7, 2015 09:18

Couldn't agree more Kurt. That area is so off limits for me, for the exact reasons you state. Look at those accused, what is it with such short, irrational and over the top tempers. No one deserves to die this way.

Posted by Andy on June 7, 2015 12:02

"...with local police said to turn a blind eye to after-hours opening and other misdemeanors..." LOL !! It is well noted that most of the karaoke bar are owned by relatives of policemen and even, a couple of them directly by a family of policemen...

Posted by dave on June 7, 2015 12:09

R.I.P. Apiwat Sripeach hard working man.Can PW have one meeting place 1 once a month in different places in Phuket that people can come and talk to you one meeting point, there are many who will not write on the net. For example Kata some bar / Resurange first Wednesday every month from 12 to 14 o'clock it's just a small idea.

Posted by Bjorn Ronningen on June 7, 2015 13:04

I do not smile for the dead, and this is well written. To drop a note to Phuket police commander I well remember what another rival newspaper wrote to me some years ago: " Don't go personally to expose the case to the competent authorities because you can not know who is really involved: could be very dangerous for your life. Let us to proceed with the necessary checks and investigations..". Dear ED, if you need proof I can send it to you. Anyway afterwords nothing happened.

Posted by dave on June 7, 2015 14:07

Ed: If the Phuket police commander who is not noted for tolerating unprofessional conduct, why do we still have to "hope" that he will investigate?

Posted by Carl on June 7, 2015 14:18

"....notorious for killings and violent incidents" Why the Sensationalism?

Posted by Gee on June 7, 2015 15:04

I live closer to these bars than I'd like to (apprx 500m) and I can often hear the music from Saraphan Plaeng late into the early morning hours.

This particular establishment was allowed to open right next to an apartment building. The Thai couple who built and owned that building lost all their business and money. When I spoke to them, they said Saraphan Plaeng is owned by a police officer and there was nothing they could do.

I can see the type of customers who frequent these bars and I would never even think about stepping in.

Killings like this have happened there many times before and I have no doubt, will continue to happen. The slightest provocation or just a simple misunderstanding can and will get you killed.

This is Thais among Thais. Imagine the result if I stuck my nose in as a foreign man.

I cannot say if Chalong police are more corrupt than those at other locations on Phuket but what I can say is that it's really bad out here.

If you want to see something newsworthy, hang around Soi Disappointment (the soi leading to Chalong pier) around official closing time. Chances are you will see a police officer on a motorbike and in uniform driving around piss drunk.

Nobody bats an eyelid.

To catch Chalong police for dereliction of duty and outright corruption would be incredibly easy. All that's needed is the will to do so.

Years have passed and nothing has changed, which pretty much underscores the fact that no such will exists in the Phuket police force.

Posted by Herbert on June 7, 2015 17:35

@ Ed

I've had my encounters with Chalong Police and despite indisputable video evidence nothing was done. On the contrary I was made to understand if I pursue the issue, my situation in Thailand will become volatile.

Yes, I gave up.

I don't have a media outlet to give me a voice and protection through publicity. If you would be willing to tag along and report the case, I could consider going against Chalong police.

On my own ? No thanks, I value my life and health way too much to do that.

Do I like to have to give in ? About as much as I like having a hole in my head but I do not have the means, connections or money to take on the police force here.

I'm also well aware that if I file complaints elsewhere, the first thing that is relayed back to Chalong police is who did that. This is common practice with just about any kind of complaints here. Be it the OrBorTor, Ombudsman or police. I know this for a fact from countless examples along the years.

Nothing will be done about the complaint but the person filing the complaint will suffer the windfall.

There is no justice in Thailand, especially not for the insignificant ones like myself.

Posted by Herbert on June 7, 2015 18:45

Mr Editor was commenting that the Phuket police Commander is not noted for tolerating unprofessional conduct. Mr Editor, instead of suggesting DAVE to drop a note, perhaps you can give that particular Police Commander a hint that Chalong has a non lawful police station which is located on Phuket island?
Previous Chalong police corruption ( scuba dive firms issues) were enlighten by you. A few Chalong leading police officers transferred to inactive ( long holiday) duties, but nothing has changed. In contrary, as you can read from other comments.

Posted by Kurt on June 7, 2015 20:01

@ Dave, @ Herbert: Gents, I had the same experience with chalong police.
This Chalong police corruption is not something for us, foreigners, to tackle.
It is simply to dangerous in Chalong. Yes, to dangerous, can you imagine?
Even thai people are threaten by Chalong police when they complained. This dirt only can be cleaned up by exposure in press. At least by telling this Phuket Police commander that Chalong police station is still located on Phuket.

Posted by Kurt on June 7, 2015 20:19

PW wrote: A stretch of bars near Chalong Circle has become notorious for killings and violent incidents ( always after official closing times). police officerstheir nominees own these places. If PW writes about it, how come the Phuket Police commander does not know?

Posted by Kurt on June 7, 2015 20:31

So far Jessie didn't tackle anything.
Go and have a look after 1-2 AM in that chalong area to convince yourself.
Did I miss something? Who is Jessie (16)? Living on Phuket?
Is she depend on yearly renewing foreign visa status to live here?

Andy, Dave, Herbert, do you know about a Jessie? Know about anything tackled?
Chalong Bars are sure tonight still open till sunrise.

Posted by Kurt on June 7, 2015 20:54

the comments of the editor of phuketwan show very clearly, he is on the side of the police.
"how come the Phuket Police commander does not know?-Editor Comment:
Because you haven't told him, Kurt".
only the press or some very influential people can change here something, but even suggesting, a foreigner can change anything here, is more than stupid.
by the way, the name rung aroon karaoke says it all- rung means rainbow or ladder, aroon means dawn- loosley translated- at dawn you will be high.-

Posted by phuketmafia on June 9, 2015 00:15

(moderated)

Posted by JackD on June 9, 2015 05:59