Six Tourists Charged As Police Raid Nana Friday Night

Bangkok police chief Sanit Mahatavorn speaks to foreign tourists during Friday raid in Bangkok’s Nana area.

BANGKOK — Six African tourists were charged with failure to carry IDs and testing positive for drugs late Friday night in the Nana area.

Six of 40 tourists who were arbitrarily taken to check on were charged for not carrying passports and testing positive for drugs in the sweep by 200 officers just before midnight.

“The raid was aimed at preventing possible crimes and attacks, as we are hosting an international conference,” said Police Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpan, referring to the Asia Cooperation Dialogue where high level delegations from 33 Asian countries will join a discussion table in Bangkok from Saturday to Monday.

Friday’s operation covered both sides of the road, including Soi Sukhumvit 4, where the red-light venue Nana Plaza is located and sois 3 and 5, home to many tourists from Africa and the Middle East.

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The officer who joined the raid, Police Col. Samran Nuanma said the reason they chose to inspect the area was because it was a hub of foreign tourists. He denied police specifically targeted any specific race or nationalities.

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His supervisor Surachet however, admitted they only brought in “black tourists” to check up due to information he received from informants.

Nana Raid

Nana Raid