Pattaya: A lightning-fast operation by Immigration Bureau Division 3 dismantled an illegal poker gambling den located in a luxury house in downtown Pattaya. The raid led to the arrest of both gamblers and the manager, and confiscation of gambling equipment.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation was initiated after the arrest of Mr. Da Hua, a Chinese suspect connected to a laughing gas case, who revealed the gambling den’s location via his mobile phone. He also tipped off authorities about a group of foreigners involved in gambling at the site.
Before the raid, officers noticed that the house was secured with a fence and guarded by security personnel. To gain entry, officers had to climb the back fence and break down the door. Inside, they found a group of gamblers playing poker, who panicked and attempted to scatter upon the officers’ arrival.
The operation resulted in the arrest of nine gamblers, including two Finns, two Danes, three Britons, one German, and one Chinese national, along with a Thai manager. Seized items included various currencies such as Thai baht, British pounds, and Australian dollars, as well as gambling chips, QR codes, and decks of cards.
Mr. Panya, a 29-year-old Thai national and caretaker of the den, confessed that the operation was exclusive to foreigners and that meetings were organized through social media. The den frequently changed locations, operating as a “mobile gambling den” to evade law enforcement.
In the aftermath, Mr. Panya faces charges of “organizing gambling for personal gain,” while the foreign nationals face charges of “illegally gambling for monetary gain without permission.” Additionally, one British national will be charged with overstaying their visa.