Cops raid Koh Phangan bar’s anniversary party, bust 100+ revelers

A Koh Phangan bar’s fifth anniversary party came to an early end last night after police raided the venue and arrested more than 100 people for violating COVID-19 measures.

The bar’s owner, 20 Thai patrons and 89 foreign guests were arrested at around 9:30pm at the hilltop Three Sixty Bar after officers arrived to find the crowd drinking and dancing despite a temporary ban on serving alcohol at nightclubs and bars. The event had been promoted online.

Island official Poonsak Soponpathumrak said police raided the bar after being tipped off about the party.

The customers were charged with violating the emergency decree which has been in place since March. Bar owner Pongdaran Limochakul and party organizer Somsakul Kiartnarong were charged with operating a venue serving alcohol without permission.