Eleven People Arrested, Mostly Foreigners, For Illegal International Poker Game
In a coordinated raid on the evening of September 9th, 2024, Pattaya City Police and Banglamung District Administrative Officers successfully dismantled what they called an illegal poker gambling ring of foreign nationals, arresting eleven individuals in total.
The operation, led by Mr. Wekit Manarojkij, Banglamung District Chief and Pol. Col. Nawin Thirawit, Pattaya City Police Chief, along with many other senior officers and officials, targeted a residence on Soi Sanamkhan Land in Nongprue, near Pattaya late in the evening of September 9th.
According to Pol. Col. Thirawit, the raid was prompted by reports from local residents concerned about illegal gambling activities, who told police they were afraid it would hurt the upstanding tourism image of Pattaya. Officers conducted surveillance and waited for an opportune moment to enter the premises. Upon gaining entry, they discovered a group of foreigners, both Europeans and Asians, engrossed in a poker game.
The raid resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, including three South Koreans, two Americans, two Australians, one Russian, and one British national. Additionally, a Thai card dealer and a housekeeper whose nationality was not immediately made clear and was serving food were also apprehended. The authorities seized gambling tables, chairs, chips used in place of cash, 37 decks of cards, and some cash as evidence.
All suspects and evidence were handed over to the investigation officer for further legal proceedings. Their names, however, were not released to The Pattaya News pending further investigation.
This successful operation underscores the commitment of Pattaya City Police and Banglamung District Administrative Officers to combat illegal gambling activities in the region. The Pattaya News notes that gambling is currently illegal in Thailand, even private poker games.
There have been proposals to legalize casinos in strictly controlled entertainment complexes, but this faces a lot of opposition and would not legalize private home gambling or any gambling outside of the complexes.
Eleven People Arrested, Mostly Foreigners, For Illegal International Poker Game in Pattaya - The Pattaya News
