On November 10, 2014, Pattaya City Police received a distress call from the family of a 16-year-old girl, “Ms. Biew” (pseudonym), after they discovered her working in a bar on Soi Bua Khao, Banglamung District, Chonburi. The girl’s family, led by her mother, Ms. But (pseudonym), had been searching for her for several months. They eventually located her after seeing a video of her serving and consuming alcohol at the establishment.
The family confronted the bar staff, questioning their hiring of an underage worker. The establishment claimed the girl had used a fake ID to gain employment, further alleging that she was simply “sitting around” and not officially working. Dissatisfied, the family alerted the police, who promptly investigated.
Authorities, led by Pol. Lt. Thanawi Yarangsi, arrested the bar’s manager, Mr. Chetwiwat (surname withheld), charging him with multiple offenses, including hiring a minor, endangering a child, and selling alcohol to a minor. Further legal actions, including a summons for the bar’s owner and potential closure of the venue, are underway.
Pol. Col. Nawin Thirawit, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, has reiterated a warning to all service venues in Pattaya: establishments that hire underage employees or engage in illegal activities will face strict enforcement. The mother, in her statement, urged authorities to prevent similar incidents, citing the impact on families and the need for ethical business practices.