Colonel Naphasapong Khositsuriyamanee, the chief of Chonburi Immigration Bureau in Thailand, led over 20 officers in a raid on a secretive foreign poker casino located in the Central Pattaya Beach area, arresting 12 suspects, including 7 foreigners and 5 Thais.
The arrested foreigners were from the USA, UK, Russia, and Australia, found sitting around poker tables engaging in gambling. The 5 arrested Thais were working in various casino-related positions, including dealers, caretakers, and waitstaff, some of whom claimed to be spouses of the foreign gamblers.
The police found that the casino not only offered poker gambling but also provided food, drinks, and cannabis, claimed to help relieve the gamblers' stress. There was also a TV set up to live stream poker tournaments for the participants to watch.
During the search, law enforcement seized a green poker table, multiple decks of cards, chips, 5,000 Thai Baht in cash, 15 mobile phones, and a walkie-talkie, all of which were taken as evidence.
Pumipat, a 28-year-old casino manager, confessed that he rented the room for 20,000 Thai Baht per month specifically to organize poker gambling activities for foreigners.
Clients contacted him through a LINE group, and the casino operated for 5 to 6 hours at a time, once or twice a week. He admitted that although poker is considered a competitive sport abroad, it is still illegal in Thailand.
According to police intelligence, the casino was located on the second floor of a commercial building near Jomtien Beach, with a concealed entrance. The first floor was disguised as a bar and guest rooms. The Chonburi Immigration Bureau collaborated closely with local departments to successfully raid and dismantle the illegal gambling operation.
All suspects have been taken to the Pattaya Immigration Checkpoint for further interrogation. The police plan to continue investigating the organizers behind the scenes and coordinate with relevant agencies to shut down this illegal operation.
This operation highlights Thailand's efforts to combat illegal gambling and sends a clear warning against unlawful activities.
