Pattaya Police Raid Poker Gambling Ring, Arrest 9 Foreign Players

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Pattaya City Police, in collaboration with officials from Bang Lamung District on October 9, raided a house in Soi Land Office, Nong Prue Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, and arrested nine foreign nationals for illegal gambling.

 

The raid followed reports from local residents who had alerted authorities to an ongoing illegal poker game at house number 388/36, Moo 10. Acting on this tip, police officers staked out the location. Once the door was opened, officers stormed inside, catching the group of gamblers, comprised of both European and Asian nationals, completely off guard as they were engrossed in a game of poker.

 

 

In total, nine players were arrested, alongside one dealer and a housemaid who was serving food at the time of the raid. Authorities seized gambling paraphernalia including a poker table, chairs, 37 decks of cards, poker chips used in place of cash, and a small amount of money.

 

The arrested individuals included three South Korean nationals, two Americans, two Australians, one Russian, and one British citizen. The dealer, a Thai national, was also taken into custody. All suspects, along with the confiscated items, have been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

 

Authorities have emphasised their ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal gambling activities in the area.

 

Picture courtesy of Sophon. Video from Daily News.

 

-- 2024-10-10

 

 

 

 

[NativeBob]

dumb as f**k!

How are they (policemen) going to justify illegal "storming inside" private property?

Foreigners playing cards are not guilty in anything until the legal case is/was opened and legal accusations were made.

Gambling is not same-same playing, that's as dumb as "working" and other "lost in translation" jokes.  

[JoePai]

The raid followed reports from local residents = Jealous maybe ?

[simon43]

2 minutes ago, JoePai said:

The raid followed reports from local residents = Jealous maybe ?

More likely the locals are sick of foreigners flouting the law......

[NE1]

More than likely that they didn't " pay for permission " like the locals do !

[HappyExpat57]

14 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

dumb as f**k!

How are they (policemen) going to justify illegal "storming inside" private property?

Foreigners playing cards are not guilty in anything until the legal case is/was opened and legal accusations were made.

Gambling is not same-same playing, that's as dumb as "working" and other "lost in translation" jokes.  

You're trying to apply western legal logic. These guys were flat out breaking the law and the BiB make the laws here.

[NativeBob]

1 minute ago, HappyExpat57 said:

You're trying to apply western legal logic. These guys were flat out breaking the law and the BiB make the laws here.

I won't argue. BiB are making the law here. But only on their playgrounds in their sandboxes.

Until it comes to the court room and judge sees all discrepancies and false statements from BiB and fake witnesses. Been there saw it myself. 

Many foreigners scare sh*tless of them and that is their only lucky card.

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

raided a house in Soi Land Office,

Not a good choice of location. 
Government officials everywhere and a chronic lack of parking would have made it obvious something was going on. 
 

Anyway, off to the lockup. The local ladyboys will show them another form of poke her.

[Bobthegimp]

20 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

I won't argue. BiB are making the law here. But only on their playgrounds in their sandboxes.

Until it comes to the court room and judge sees all discrepancies and false statements from BiB and fake witnesses. Been there saw it myself. 

Many foreigners scare sh*tless of them and that is their only lucky card.

 

What am I missing? Gambling is illegal in Thailand and police raids are not.  This wasn't a hiso bridge club with affluent Bangkok Thais present.   

 

Where have you been and what did you see?  Where did the police hurt you? Show us on the doll. 

[hotandsticky]

10 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Not a good choice of location. 
Government officials everywhere and a chronic lack of parking would have made it obvious something was going on. 
 

Anyway, off to the lockup. The local ladyboys will show them another form of poke her.

 

 

That made me laugh out loud.....thank you.

[NativeBob]

14 minutes ago, Bobthegimp said:

Gambling is illegal in Thailand and police raids are not.

playing cards is not "gambling" until proven.

27 minutes ago, Bobthegimp said:

What am I missing?

Few years in secondary school? 

[Bobthegimp]

31 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

playing cards is not "gambling" until proven.

Few years in secondary school? 

 

And poker chips?  Ok Matlock.  Why don't you use your cutting wit to defend these clowns?  Maybe it will be televised. 

[nikmar]

I play pontoon with my wife and son for satang coins. Better change my criminal ways!!

[Gottfrid]

The morons here must understand, that it´s nothing illegal in using your own money for the thrill and the entertainment you like, as long as it does not hurt anybody physically. There is no crime here. Especially as they are trying to force a gambling bill through. Stupid people. There is no help for these lunatics.

[Upnotover]

6 hours ago, simon43 said:

More likely the locals are sick of foreigners flouting the law......

They are playing cards, for money, day in day out, they don't care about the law, they are just sick of foreigners.

[norfolkandchance]

4 hours ago, nikmar said:

I play pontoon with my wife and son for satang coins. Better change my criminal ways!!

I was in a busy road side Bar watching a tourist family playing Uno. I politely informed them of the consequences of the gambling laws in Thai and recounted the story of the old age pensioners getting arrested for playing Bridge.To say they where surprised would be an understatement.

[Gottfrid]

6 hours ago, Bobthegimp said:

 

And poker chips?  Ok Matlock.  Why don't you use your cutting wit to defend these clowns?  Maybe it will be televised. 

Yeah, or maybe you can refrain from totally stupid replies. Please bless us with such kindness.

[NativeBob]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

The morons here must understand, that it´s nothing illegal in using your own money for the thrill and the entertainment you like, as long as it does not hurt anybody physically.

Exactly! The only danger is gambling dens where khun thai (plural) might spend their saving's money and even properties. They are very very crazy on "luck". So probably that made sense to impose that law.

 

Also, there are thousands of websites in thai promoting/offering online gambling. 

 

During every big sport event pawn shops are busy lending money. I saw middle age guy (his 50s) leaving whole golden necklace with amulets for 100K. Amulets! He just pulled it from his neck and looked very agitated.

 

However a bunch of foreigners playing poker for little thrill and nice cozy evening has nothing to do "forbidden subject". 

[rocketboy2]

A real style poker table.

Chips.

Same location.

Maid serving you drinks and snacks.

No top, people paid off.

Only a matter of time to get nicked.

Just dumb, Go back to illegal activities school 101. 

[Frankie baby]

Looks like Thailand is slipping slowly back to the stone-age.

 

Hits like this don't do them any favours. 

[sumongkhwai]

Aren't they supposed to be referred to as "gambling dens"?

 

And, thank goodness that no one in the villages does any kind of gambling where they go into debt and end up owing the loan sharks thousands. Fortunately for me, no one in my extended ever got caught up in the sin.  

[bristolgeoff]

I agree the locals upset jealous they were not invited so grass them to the police.Not as bad as the bridge club arrest ,if no money on show just cards and chips no case really.Everyone knows and sees thai gambling the king card game i think after they pay who lost like snooker clubs  too.They don,t try to hide it,just wait for the casinos to be legal and see who is at those tables playing poker

[mdr224]

13 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Not a good choice of location. 
Government officials everywhere and a chronic lack of parking would have made it obvious something was going on. 
 

Anyway, off to the lockup. The local ladyboys will show them another form of poke her.

Speaking from experience i see. You’ve obviously been rammed in the butt by a ladyboy or two

[IndomitableSpirit]

Does this mean I have to store away my Bingo game? I still need to win back 50 bht I lost from my sister!

[bigt3116]

13 hours ago, NativeBob said:

playing cards is not "gambling" until proven.

 

7 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:

I was in a busy road side Bar watching a tourist family playing Uno. I politely informed them of the consequences of the gambling laws in Thai and recounted the story of the old age pensioners getting arrested for playing Bridge.To say they where surprised would be an understatement.

 

They are bang to rights for having 37 decks of cards! 

 

Thailand has a unique law regulating playing cards. This law, known as the Playing Cards Act, was enacted in 1943. Its primary purpose is to control the production, distribution, and possession of playing cards within the country.  

 

 

Key points of the Playing Cards Act:

• Quantity Restriction: A person is generally allowed to possess no more than 120 playing cards. This limit is intended to prevent illegal gambling activities.  
   

   
• Official Stamp: All playing cards sold in Thailand must bear an official stamp from the Excise Department. This stamp indicates that the cards have been approved for sale and taxation.
• Production and Import: The production and import of playing cards are strictly regulated.
  Only authorized entities can produce or import playing cards.

 

Uno players would not fall under this law, and the bridge club members were not arrested for playing bridge, but for having too many playing cards.

[NatureFilm]

Thailand could be Paradise, if there just would be no gambling 😏

[jacko45k]

14 hours ago, NativeBob said:

dumb as f**k!

How are they (policemen) going to justify illegal "storming inside" private property?

Foreigners playing cards are not guilty in anything until the legal case is/was opened and legal accusations were made.

Gambling is not same-same playing, that's as dumb as "working" and other "lost in translation" jokes.  

I suspect they can do just that, are you confusing Thai law with that of another country?  They can search you on the street, without warrant, something that surprised me when I came here. 

[Jonathan Swift]

14 hours ago, NativeBob said:

dumb as f**k!

How are they (policemen) going to justify illegal "storming inside" private property?

Foreigners playing cards are not guilty in anything until the legal case is/was opened and legal accusations were made.

Gambling is not same-same playing, that's as dumb as "working" and other "lost in translation" jokes.  

So I take it you're a Thailand licensed attorney?

[Homburg]

Pattaya Police Raid Poker Gambling Ring, Arrest 9 Foreign Players

 

I'll bet they didn't see that coming.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The arrested individuals included three South Korean nationals, two Americans, two Australians, one Russian, and one British citizen. The dealer, a Thai national, was also taken into custody. All suspects, along with the confiscated items, have been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

And what will happen to the owner of the property?