Crime Pattaya Police Raid Luxury Poker Den, Arrest Thais and Foreigners

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Pattaya police conducted a successful raid on a high-end illegal poker venue in the heart of the city, arresting Thais and foreigners and seizing millions in circulation.

 

On 23rd April, Pattaya City Police led by Pol. Col. Enek Srathongyu, alongside senior officers, raided Mind Sports Club on Central Pattaya Road. The operation followed intelligence reports of illegal poker games being held on the premises.

 

The raid unveiled that the club was using a snooker establishment on the ground floor as a front. However, upon reaching the second floor, police discovered a VIP poker room in full swing.

 

The room housed six staff members and 13 gamblers immersed in their games. Of the 19 people arrested, 9 were Thai nationals and 10 were foreigners, including individuals from the Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Russia, Denmark, Myanmar, Singapore, and Canada.

 

 

 

A 65-year-old Singaporean, Mr. Yin Choun Lau, was identified as the organiser.

 

Initial investigations revealed that players were charged 1,800 baht for a seat per session, with each game involving bets ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 (approximately 75,000 to 150,000 baht). The operation had a cash flow exceeding 5 million baht.

 

Mr. Yin Choun Lau faces charges of organising illegal gambling, while the 13 gamblers face charges of participating in illegal gambling. All offenders have been detained and handed over to Pattaya City Police for further legal proceedings.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily News 2025-04-24

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The operation had a cash flow exceeding 5 million baht.

And that is why the government want casinos.

Nothing to do with tourists.

The naively believe that all illegal gamblers will go kosher.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Yin Choun Lau faces charges of organising illegal gambling, while the 13 gamblers face charges of participating in illegal gambling. All offenders have been detained and handed over to Pattaya City Police for further legal proceedings.

One of many establishments operating daily.

[Jonathan Swift]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

And that is why the government want casinos.

Nothing to do with tourists.

The naively believe that all illegal gamblers will go kosher.

Nonetheless, legal casinos will be like money trees. Historically they became major tourist attractions. My opinion? It will attract a significant number of the total gambling population INCLUDING tourists, who might prefer not to get arrested, and will likely bring in a lot of newbies, many of whom will then proceed to gambling addiction and become lifetime customers who squander every cent they have. This is what happened on the American Indian reservations. On top of that, it's likely that organized crime will try to latch on in one way or another, such as loan sharking to the gambling addicts. It's all the same playbook, but, just my opinion again, the pros usually out weigh the cons. I heard they were going to bring in Bobby Deniro and Joe Pesce as consultants

[Andycoops]

The illegal gambling business here is worth billions of baht which is why the vested interests are trying to screw the casino bill by stirring up anti casino demonstrators, now doubt funded by the aforementioned vested interests...

[Purdey]

Casinos may end illegal gambling by foreign tourists but Thais will not be allowed access so this kind of local casino will continue to thrive.

[kidneyw]

Hope none from the local bridge club were there.

[kiwikeith]

7 hours ago, hotchilli said:

One of many establishments operating daily.

They are everywhere, Bangkok has plenty of them