Thai Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Karaoke Bars in Bangkok

Bangkok, March 7th, 2025 — Labor department officials raided seven karaoke bars in Bangkok’s Khlong San district after reports of illegal foreign workers providing services to customers.

Officials discovered that the bars employed foreign women dressed provocatively to entertain customers illegally. A total of 30 suspects were arrested, including four Thais, one Myanmar national, and 25 Lao nationals.

Three of the establishments were found to be foreign-owned, with all staff, from cooks to servers, working without permits. None of the seven bars had proper operating licenses, according to the authorities.

All suspects confessed to the charges. Bar owners were charged with operating without a license and hiring foreign workers without permits, while the workers faced charges for working illegally. They were taken to Samdet Chao Phraya Police Station for further legal action.

Three of the establishments were found to be foreign-owned, with all staff, from cooks to servers, working without permits. None of the seven bars had proper operating licenses, according to the authorities.

All suspects confessed to the charges. Bar owners were charged with operating without a license and hiring foreign workers without permits, while the workers faced charges for working illegally. They were taken to Samdet Chao Phraya Police Station for further legal action.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The TPN National News, owned by our parent company TPN media.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.