Pattaya Police Raid Poker Gambling Ring, Arrest 9 Foreign Players

[steven100]

4 hours ago, jippytum said:

Wonder if  the players arrested for playing bridge in Pattaya have moved into the big time. 

some are still in prison  ?

[Brian Hull]

Surely the Thai cops have more important things to worry about than a bunch of guys playing cards. How many Police Colonels were included in the raid? Why haven't we seen the usual photos of the heroic Police officers who carried out such a dangerous mission?

[PJ71]

21 hours ago, simon43 said:

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

There's not bigger fish to fry than a few people playing cards?

 

Bus LPG violations would be considered more important, no?

 

Thailand is full of grasses - lower than a snakes belly.....

[PomPolo]

I get the laws and as guests in the country we should be abiding them, I was in the process of sorting out a game with my expat friends a couple of months ago, at the last minute a few of them cancelled, probably saved us an arrest!!!!

 

Any western person probably thinks it is crazy (and it is) that a group of people are not allowed to play cards for what is probably a small amount of money as a social thing, it doesn't look like they have signs outside saying "Bobs poker joint"

At least the cops can't complain about this bit below, personally I think it is helping the economy and giving work to Thais!

 

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

alongside one dealer and a housemaid who was serving food at the time of the raid

 

If anyone sees any cheap gambling "paraphernalia" about please feel free to PM me the "confiscators" must be after a bob or two for that stuff looks like a nice table!

 

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The dealer, a Thai national, was also taken into custody. All suspects, along with the confiscated items

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

What nonesense. They were gambling. It’s illegal. Police have the rights to raid. 

Where did I say they did not have the right to raid?

Where did I say that gambling is not illegal?

What I said, was that they must understand, there is nothing illegal with using your money for entertainment as long as it´s not hurting anybody physically. However, they don´t!

[PETERTHEEATER]

7 hours ago, bigt3116 said:

 

 

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.

Shoot! I am shredding my two packs of Happy Families cards right now! Thanks for the tip.

[portisaacozzy]

8 hours ago, bigt3116 said:

 

 

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.  
   

  Thailand could be paradise if only it wa a nother country
• 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.

 

[Shocked farang]

23 hours ago, NE1 said:

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

Exactly, the "tea money" was missing! 

[smedly]

23 hours 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.

 

pity they don't put as much effort into catching drunk drivers, a more worthy cause IMO

[NativeBob]

12 minutes ago, smedly said:

 

pity they don't put as much effort into catching drunk drivers, a more worthy cause IMO

The whole idea of such activity is squeezing money in any possible way. A.k.a "extortion". 

That's why it is more profitable to "raid" bunch of foreigners, scare them and make them pay "fines" than chasing drunk khun Din-Dong on his ugly truck.

Nobody think that they are for "to save and protect" right?

Same goes to so-called "tourist" police minions.

[RethairedJarhead]

I love Texas Hold’em- had a weekly game with a group of friends in the US. Great times! 
 

I think it’s futile to argue legalities in the land of smiles but rather wise to navigate your way within the culture. Personally, I won’t put my privilege to stay at risk.
 

I’d bet there are other games undetected where there is no harm done and good times had.
 

Supposedly, they’re moving forward with the casino in Pattaya and that’s definitely not the same as a home game- doubt I would partake but I think it will generate jobs and stimulate tourism. The current PM‘s father was a proponent in the past- more than likely that this will happen. 
 

By the way, isn’t a lottery gambling? Aren’t there 2 distinct and commonly played lotteries in Thailand?
 

Asking for a friend…

 

Rhetorical yet relevant questions.

[AndreasHG]

On 10/10/2024 at 2:34 PM, Georgealbert said:

nine players were arrested, alongside one dealer and a housemaid who was serving food at the time of the raid

 

It's the second time I read that the Thai police arrested a housemaid serving food at a crime scene, and I can't help but feeling sorry for the poor maid.

 

Is she going to serve long years in a Thai jail? Was her food instrumental in committing the crime? Or was it that the food served was found disgusting? Maybe a hungry policeman got food poisoning?

 

Hard to tell, but housemaid is definitely a tricky job in Thailand.

 

[moe666]

On 10/10/2024 at 3:03 PM, JoePai said:

The raid followed reports from local residents = Jealous maybe ?

No they probly got tired of being woken up at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. 

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Between this, and arresting the Dildo Crime Ring, I feel safer already. Keep up the good job BiB.

 

How about they go after real crime? like violence and vaping?

[NativeBob]

49 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Between this, and arresting the Dildo Crime Ring, I feel safer already. Keep up the good job BiB.

 

How about they go after real crime? like violence and vaping?

There's no money involved in "go after real crime".

 

However Dildo Mafia brought "tangible goods" that will hit the streets next week. 

Poker Suckers will buy their "freedom from prosecution" with hefty "fines". 

How primitive and yet efficient could that be?

The Dream Job!

[ElHeffe2025]

Interesting law they have there, especially considering the other things that are business as usual in Thailand.

[jacko45k]

21 hours ago, bigt3116 said:

 

The bridge players were "busted" for breaking the Playing Cards Act 1943 which states no more than 120 playing cards, they were not "busted" for gambling.

Initial reports stated gambling, and the police modified their story as time went on. It was a fiasco that is for sure.

[WoodyKenny]

And yet you allow Ladybugs, Ladyboys, Hooker's and Bars to sell sex and pour liquor even after they had enough.

  Quite simple card game.. perhaps they forgot to invite the right people. 😂 

[black tabby12345]

By  the way, what kind of charge will be layed against the waitress there?

Guilty for serving F&V  at the underground gambling site?
 

Edited October 12 by black tabby12345

[Zapitapi]

On 10/10/2024 at 4:22 PM, NativeBob said:

playing cards is not "gambling" until proven.

 

absolutely correct.. and so are your previous remarks about  "storming in" ..on the other hand we dont know if the police had a warrant or not (dont think the police can legally say that some kind of danger gave them the right to storm in as there was no kidnapping or other danger).. if no warrant this should go nowhere if: 1. all players dont talk 2. no video or other proof of money being exchanged 3. AND MOST IMPORTANT all players shut up!

[Marco100]

Local Residents who watch you 👀 , be careful ! A lot of damage was made by Local Residents watching in history ....

[NativeBob]

1 hour ago, Zapitapi said:

absolutely correct.

Yes. In Bangkok it is very possible - as long as "players" will confess and pay "ransom". At the court this case will be dismissed and probably some compensation will be requested. 

But foreigners are so scared to spend few nights in cell, they rather "confess'n'pay" than bring justice. 

 

And there's nice thing to add - you can defend yourself in court, no need dumb'n'greedy lawyer! You can even dismiss the judge. Yes, in Thailand.

 

[jacko45k]

On 10/11/2024 at 6:01 AM, Jonathan Swift said:

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

Only open to Thai Citizens I believe. 

[lavender19]

LOS. Land of Snitches

[Wongkitlo]

On 10/10/2024 at 3:24 PM, 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.

It probably won't make it to court. They have probably already paid their fines in a,brown paper bag and are off home. 

 

[NativeBob]

1 minute ago, Wongkitlo said:

It probably won't make it to court. They have probably already paid their fines in a,brown paper bag and are off home. 

Obviously yes.

Long ago I was intimidated by local policemen - they do as much as they can to scare and frighten you to the core (I guess not only TH) and "buy" your way out. That was very stupid of me. 

[Wongkitlo]

8 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

 That was very stupid of me. 

Maybe not. I don't know what police,use now there are no telephone books but maybe you saved yourself from finding out which I'm sure was worth the money

[Captain Flack]

A off topic troll post making unsubstantiated claims has been removed.

[balo]

If you want to play a game of cards in Thailand, never involve Thais, I have played poker with foreign friends inside a condo and we never made a lot of noise about it, just a friendly game and for small money. 

Until Thailand change their gambling laws , Cambodia is just an hour away or an even better location is Macau.

But online poker is huge in Thailand, a lot of Thai players enjoy poker, so this raid is just stupid. 

 


 

[LarryChenard]

On 10/10/2024 at 10:34 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

In this case, locals tipped off the police about an underground poker game, which led to the arrest of nine foreigners and one Thai dealer. The group, from various countries like South Korea, the US, Australia, Russia, and the UK, was caught mid-game, along with all the usual poker gear. The police even seized poker chips and 37 decks of cards. It seems they’re making it clear that any form of illegal gambling won’t go unnoticed in the area, especially with ongoing efforts to keep these activities in check.

Edited November 13 by LarryChenard