Thai immigration police and local officers raided an illegal Chinese poker casino operating from a pool villa in Pattaya late on 13 May 2026, arresting 16 Chinese nationals and seizing gambling equipment, cash and mobile phones.
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The operation took place at around 11pm at a two-storey house located at 243/15 Soi Khao Noi, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Officers from Chon Buri Immigration, Tourist Police Pattaya, Nong Prue police station and local administration units surrounded and searched the property after receiving intelligence that it was being used as a private gambling venue for Chinese players.
Police said the upper floor of the villa had been converted into a casino. Officers found groups of Chinese nationals gathered around poker tables when the raid began. As authorities entered the property, several suspects attempted to flee, with three men jumping from a second-floor window.
The three injured men were treated by rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation before being taken to hospital. Authorities later confirmed all suspects had been detained.
In total, officers arrested 16 Chinese nationals, including 13 men and three women. Seized items included poker tables, playing cards, chairs, gambling chips, a banknote counting machine, 93,000 baht in cash and more than 20 mobile phones. Officers also found food and drinks prepared for players inside the villa.
The raid followed orders from Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the national police chief, who directed agencies to intensify a three-month crackdown on transnational crime and illegal foreign activities under the operations known as “X-ray, Mobilise and Sweep” and the wider campaign “Dig Out the Roots”.
Pictures courtesy of SiamChon
According to investigators, Chon Buri Immigration officers had monitored the property for some time after receiving reports that the venue catered exclusively to VIP gambling clients. Authorities then planned an undercover operation using a female police officer disguised as a food delivery rider to gain access to the house.
Police said a Chinese man opened the gate after the delivery arrived but allegedly shouted a warning when officers identified themselves, prompting gamblers upstairs to panic and try to escape. Despite the attempted escape, all suspects were eventually taken into custody.
The 16 Chinese nationals and all seized evidence were transferred to investigators at Chon Buri Immigration for legal proceedings on charges of illegal gambling. Authorities also confirmed they would begin procedures to revoke the suspects’ visas and deport them from Thailand.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamChon 14 May 2026