Soi 22 Bar Owner on Run After Threatening Customers with Shotgun

A Soi 22 barowner who dealt with unruly customers by pointing a shotgun at them is on the run from Thonglor police.

Police on Sunday raided the residence of “Rak”, the owner of the New Yorker Cafe in the middle of Soi 22, seizing nearly 200 rounds of ammunition and a knife.

According to Thai-language media reports, several foreign tourists had filed a complaint claiming that the owner had threatened them with a shotgun, causing widespread fear and panic among the customers.

The Department of Special Investigation found that Rak has a fondness for firearms, often posting pictures of himself with firearms on social media.

The officers discovered several types of firearms including a long-barreled shotgun, 9mm and 11mm handguns and a .38 caliber revolver. Police then requested information about Rak’s personal firearms license from the Department of Provincial Administration, but they received a response indicating that Mr. Rak had never been issued a license to possess or use firearms.

As a result, the DSI collected evidence and obtained a search warrant from the criminal court of Bangkok South to search the premises on March 25. When the police officers arrived at the location, they identified themselves as police officers and displayed the search warrant. However, Rak was not present and the officers suspected that he may have fled before they arrived since there was a motorcycle registered under Rak’s name parked in front of the bar.

Only “Kim”, who claimed to be a resident on the second floor of the building where the bar was located, was present. The officers reassured her and allowed her to lead the search. When they reached the third-floor bedroom, they found a firearm resembling a machine gun, several rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade.