Police in Ayutthaya have arrested 13 people following a raid on a Chinese restaurant where officers found an alleged mahjong gambling room and workers accused of immigration and labour offences.
The operation targeted the Hunan Chinese restaurant in Khan Ham, Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Police are also examining whether Thai nationals may have acted as nominee shareholders for foreign owners, potentially breaching Thailand's Foreign Business Act.
On 4 August 2026, Pol Col Manas Addodorn, superintendent of Uthai Police Station, led officers back to the premises to gather further evidence. Investigators examined business records, shareholder arrangements and financial transactions.
Mahjong room found during raid
The follow-up came after a joint operation on 3 August by Uthai police, Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 2 officers and immigration suppression investigators in Ayutthaya.
Officers said they found a room being used for mahjong gambling inside the restaurant. Five Chinese nationals were arrested: one accused of organising the gambling and four accused of taking part.
Police seized one mahjong table, 84 plastic tiles and 7,200 baht in cash allegedly used for gambling.
A further eight foreign nationals were prosecuted under labour and immigration laws. Two were accused of working beyond the scope of their permitted employment, while four were accused of failing to notify authorities of a change of employer.
The remaining two were accused of overstaying in Thailand and working without permits. All 13 suspects from the 3 August operation were handed to investigators for legal proceedings.
Nominee inquiry continues
Pol Col Manas said officers had received complaints that groups of foreigners were operating several businesses in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, potentially using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to avoid legal restrictions.
The restaurant was selected as one of the businesses for closer scrutiny as investigators continued gathering intelligence.
Police have checked income and expenditure accounts, tax records, sources of income, company registration documents, shareholder lists and share-transfer paperwork. The aim is to establish whether the business has been operated legally and whether Thai shareholders were genuinely involved or were holding shares on behalf of foreigners.
The nominee-shareholding inquiry remains at the evidence-gathering stage, with police working alongside relevant agencies. Officers said further legal action would follow if additional offences are found.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
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5 August 2026
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