Four people arrested in connection with illegal gambling venues in Chiang Mai have received suspended jail sentences, Thailand's deputy interior minister Pholphee Suwanchawee said on 29 September 2026.
Four Thai nationals involved in the case received three-month prison terms, suspended for one year. Twenty foreign nationals found during the operation were handed to Immigration Bureau officers and have already been sent back to their home countries, he said.
Gambling remains illegal in most forms, and this operation shows that foreign nationals found at unlicensed venues can face immigration action and removal from the country, in addition to any criminal proceedings.
Money trail sent for further checks
Pholphee said officers found four bank accounts linked to QR codes at the first location and two at the second. The information has been submitted to the Anti-Money Laundering Office, known as AMLO, for further investigation.
Authorities have not yet identified who owned the gambling operations. Pholphee said further details would be announced if the financial investigation establishes ownership.
He said the authorities would complete their work and ensure those responsible are punished and prosecuted. Further updates will be issued as the case progresses.
Reports point to more than 50 possible venues
Only two gambling venues have so far been uncovered in Chiang Mai, Pholphee said. However, information has continued to arrive following the operation, with reports indicating that there may be more than 50 additional venues.
Those reports still need to be checked, he added. The suspected venues are said to be in all major provinces around the country, rather than being limited to Chiang Mai.
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30 September 2026
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