THAILAND CRACKS DOWN ON ILLICIT DRUGS, SEX

On-The-Spot Urine Tests

BANGKOK - Tourists sampling Thailand's famously unrestrained nightlife
are being subjected to on-the-spot urine tests in a government
crackdown aimed at wiping out illicit sex, drugs and underage drinking.

Others have been arrested for failing to produce passports during
police raids on clubs and bars.

Police have been ordered by Purachai Piumsombun, the Interior
Minister, to enforce antiquated licensing laws that have been ignored
for years. Mr. Purachai is spearheading a moral crusade to re-impose
"social order" amid a boom in drug addiction and teenage
prostitution.

All types of venues are being targeted, from go-go bars and massage
parlours to pubs and restaurants. Even rice porridge shops catering to
hungry revellers on their way home have been stopped from serving alcohol.

Patpong, the famous red light district that also has bars and cafes
for tourists who wish to avoid the fleshpots, is now deserted by 1:45
a.m. each morning. Previously the streets teemed until 4 a.m. or
later. Bar girls and waiters, bitter at the loss of income, are
marshalled home along with tourists by police.

"What is going on here, discos closing at one o'clock, can you
imagine? You can't even find a beer," said a Frenchman who has lived
in Bangkok for seven years.

A recent opinion poll shows a majority of citizens backed the campaign
of Mr. Purachai, a close friend of Thaksin Shinawatra, the Prime
Minister. Mr. Purachai has ignored pleas by taxi drivers, bar owners
and cafe proprietors that business has been slashed, threatening jobs
and deterring tourists.

"It's knocked our business down by 30%," said David Jacobson, who runs
Bangkok's Q Bar. "Who knows how it's going to affect nightlife in the
future."

Police descended on his nightclub last month, locked the doors,
separated the women from the men, and ordered patrons to provide urine
samples that were tested for drugs. Only one tested positive.

Mr. Jacobson endorsed the government's efforts to stamp out drug use
and deter underage drinking, but said its heavy-handed approach was
inappropriate.

"As for Thailand's reputation, I don't think it's helpful," he said.
"Thailand is one of the great tourist spots in the world and people
won't come if they have to worry about police making them pee in a
cup."

But Mr. Purachai disagreed. "Tourists are here because they want to
see natural beauty. They don't want to see exotic dancers or take drugs."

He has conducted a number of late-night tours of Patpong, and fired
one police superintendent for allowing a cafe to stay open after 2
a.m.

Mr. Thaksin said those unhappy with the crackdown would just have to
start their revels earlier. "Instead of going out at midnight they
should go out at 9 o'clock. That's five hours, it's more than enough.
We have to bring back happiness to the family."