PATTAYA — Thai Authorities have closed a prominent Walking Street nightclub after its Indian manager allegedly orchestrated a brutal attack on a tourist and threatened him with a firearm over an unpaid bar tab.
Pattaya City Police launched the investigation after receiving a complaint about the manager of Boss Club, located in the heart of South Pattaya’s entertainment district. According to the 33-year-old victim, also an Indian national, the manager had been operating like a mafia figure, using personal bodyguards to assault him and holding a gun to his head when he requested to settle his bill the following day.
The incident is particularly troubling as the victim is known among local establishments as a reliable VIP customer who consistently pays his bills and has never defaulted on payment.
Massive Raid Uncovers Multiple Violations
The assault sparked widespread concern among tourists and prompted swift action. On September 30, more than 100 officers from district administration, Pattaya City Police, and tourist police raided the venue while approximately 300 Thai and foreign patrons were inside.
Officers halted all activities and conducted comprehensive checks. Drug tests revealed nine employees tested positive for narcotics. Authorities also discovered over 40 foreign workers—including Indian, Myanmar, and Uzbek nationals—operating without proper work permits or holding fraudulent documentation.
Those who tested positive were detained for further processing, while undocumented foreign workers were transferred to immigration police.
Manager Evades Authorities
The manager was absent during the raid and failed to report to police when contacted. District officials responded by ordering the immediate closure of Boss Club and will recommend the provincial governor impose an extended shutdown.
“This is part of our zero-tolerance policy regarding violence against tourists,” officials stated. “We will pursue the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law to deter criminal influence from expanding in the entertainment district.”
Gold Necklace Dispute
Lakshman Singh, President of the Indian Association of Pattaya, said on Tuesday the victim is a premium customer at several Indian clubs in Pattaya who routinely settles bills the next day via bank transfer—a common practice for VIP patrons.
On the night in question, the Boss Club manager invited the victim to the venue and borrowed his gold necklace. When the victim later requested its return, the manager refused unless he paid his drink bill immediately, sparking an argument.
Two security guards then dragged the victim away and beat him with a stick-like object, striking his legs. Another Indian man held a gun to his head demanding immediate payment and confiscated his passport.
The victim received treatment at Pattaya Memorial Hospital before filing a police report. Singh said the incident has left the victim deeply shaken and urged business operators to better protect tourists, especially VIP customers. He called on authorities to prosecute the perpetrators swiftly.
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