On February 14, Bangkok police raided a gambling den hidden behind a restaurant, arresting 12 foreign gamblers, including 2 Singaporeans, showcasing their determination to combat illegal gambling.
Bangkok, February 14, 2023 – In a significant raid in downtown Bangkok, police dismantled a Chinese gambling den hidden behind a restaurant. The operation was launched following intelligence reports, revealing that the den was located on the first floor of a building in the Yan Nawa district, where a Chinese restaurant operated, while an illegal poker room was situated on the third floor. During the raid, law enforcement discovered over 20 gamblers inside the den, with 12 individuals apprehended on the spot.
Among the arrested gamblers were 10 men and 2 women of diverse nationalities, including Chinese, Singaporean, Filipino, and Indian. Specifically, the police confirmed that 8 gamblers were from China, 2 from Singapore, and 1 each from the Philippines and India. This capture not only highlights the determination of Thai police to combat illegal gambling but also sparked public concern and discussion regarding the activities of foreigners gambling in Thailand.
The police also arrested a Thai woman responsible for the management of the building, who oversaw both the restaurant and the gambling activities above it. All suspects were subsequently taken to the Bang Phong Phang police station for questioning. Authorities seized a large amount of evidence at the scene, including over 6 million Thai Baht (approximately 238,000 Singapore dollars) in various currencies, including Singapore dollars, Chinese Yuan, Hong Kong dollars, Euros, and Macanese Patacas. Additionally, they confiscated two bags of cash chips, 10 decks of playing cards, one poker table, nine chairs, 15 mobile phones, and 45 bottles of illegally imported alcohol.
During the questioning, one arrested foreign gambler informed the police that he was invited to the gambling den by a foreign friend and claimed he was unaware that gambling in Thailand was illegal. He mentioned that gambling is relatively common in his home country, especially in Singapore, thus he did not perceive the legal risks in Thailand. At the same time, a Singaporean gambler was found to be overstaying his visa in Thailand, further raising police concerns about foreign gamblers’ activities in the country.
The caretaker of the Thai building told the police that she was hired by a Chinese employer and had been working there for a year. She expressed ignorance about the nature of the gambling activities, stating that her role was merely to oversee the building. Police indicated that preliminary investigations showed the gambling den operated quite covertly, using the restaurant’s legitimate facade to conceal its illegal activities.
Currently, police are pressing charges against the arrested gamblers for unlicensed gambling and investigating a Thai national for organizing gambling activities. Authorities emphasized their commitment to continue thorough investigations to identify more individuals involved in the gambling den and ensure that all persons associated with illegal activities are brought to justice.
This raid marks a continued effort by the Thai government to combat illegal gambling, especially in the context of attracting foreign tourists, ensuring law enforcement and public safety, and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. Police urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies promptly.
