ID AND PEE, PRETTY PLEASE

The Party Patrol, led by frontman Pracha Maleenon on lead morals,
kicked off its new crackdown tour last week, party-busting like there
was no tomorrow, with one-night stands at Concept CM2 on March 17
before going on a full tour of Sukhumvit clubs the following Friday.
At some venues, those lucky enough to catch their latest act had to
spend hours queuing up for the chance to donate their urine.

While at Q Bar only random people were selected, Mystique was honoured
with a full-scale lock-down that lasted from half-past midnight until
3am. Apparently the Party Patrol knew that their dress code could get
them in the door at Mystique, and with an allegedly handsome back-up
stinger taking the mic, they extended the night well past normal
last-call hours. So much for early closings...

In all seriousness, the recent upsurge in raids has not only meant
headaches for everyone, but has led many venues to take the ID policy
much more seriously. Bars can be fined 50,000 baht for harbouring an
underage drinker, or simply someone who fails to present a valid ID,
no matter the age. In addition, the police can fine the customer 5,000
baht. The simple rule now in Bangkok wherever you go and whatever your
age is _ bring your ID!

What constitutes an ID to the police and clubs? According to the
tourist police and club operators, the card needs to include both your
photograph and birthday, such as a driver's license, passport, or even
a combination of two cards that cover those two categories. Obviously
farangs don't want to tote around their passports, given that
embassies here even warn against the practice. Police and clubs are
respecting this and are accepting photocopies of passports. This is
obviously the best solution for those without other forms of ID. You
can even have this photocopy certified.

While this new policy is certain to cause a lot of huffing and
puffing, supporting legal age drinking isn't such a bad cause. But
more importantly, the reality is that clubs such as Mystique, Q Bar
and CM2 (which is still open by the way) need to protect themselves
during this current climate. And they will turn people away who cannot
present an acceptable ID at the door.

As for the mandatory drugs tests, the clubs reported that no one was
arrested in the recent raids.