Video Police Raid in Saraburi Mistakenly Targets Innocent Board Game Enthusiasts

[snoop1130]

Photo via TikTok/ @nnannthc

 

In an unexpected twist, police in the central province of Saraburi launched a raid aimed at cracking down on illegal gambling, only to discover that the supposed suspects were merely playing a board game. The mix-up was captured on CCTV and shared widely on TikTok, attracting significant attention and sparking online debate.

 

The footage, posted by TikTok user @nnannthc on 15 June, shows a group of five friends, including the TikToker herself, seated in a circle, engaged in a card game. As they enjoyed their evening, four police officers suddenly entered the house by sliding open the glass door, causing confusion and alarm among the group.

 

Startled by the intrusion, some players exclaimed, "You almost gave me a heart attack. What’s wrong?” The officers, realising their error, paused before acknowledging, “Oh, got it,” and recognising that the gathering was harmless. After a brief, shared chuckle, the officers politely excused themselves and departed.

 

The TikToker later provided further context to ThaiRath, sharing that she and her friends had gathered for a barbecue and decided to play a board game as a light-hearted conclusion to their evening. Despite the officers' repeated queries about potential gambling activities, the group maintained their innocence, emphasizing the recreational nature of their game.

 

 

According to the officers, the raid was prompted by a tip-off reporting gambling activities at the residence. Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, they apologised for the intrusion and exited the premises.

 

The incident resonated with others online, with one commenter recounting a similar experience. This individual described how a neighbour had falsely accused her and her friends of gambling, leading to an unwarranted police raid. She expressed her shock and frustration at the time, mentioning she had reacted with harsh words before the police realised their mistake and apologised.

 

The story has drawn criticism from netizens, who are questioning the police's priorities. Many voiced concerns over the swift police response to innocent gatherings, contrasting it with perceived inaction towards more significant issues such as illegal gambling dens and underground casinos that are reportedly widespread across Thailand.

 

This episode has sparked a broader conversation about the accuracy of police intelligence and the impact of false reports leading to unnecessary distress for innocent individuals. It highlights the need for more effective verification processes before such invasive measures are taken.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-17

 

 

[Nickcage49]

That amazing fighting force the Royal Thai Police is keeping us shielded from danger.

 

Yahtzee! 

[SS1]

They could at least knock on the door politely. These scumbags have no limits. 

[Formaleins]

Probably heard the word "Monopoly" and thought it was time to get in on the act!

[phetphet]

Looking at that video, I have to say that's the fastest I have ever seen a Thai policeman move. 

[Gsxrnz]

Bridge, anybody? 

[factual monk]

😆 🤣 😂  oh no... the famed AI failed....

[wensiensheng]

Well, there ARE many illegal gambling dens in Thailand, I know of two in the area where I live. And the evidence all pointed that way in this case. Can’t really blame the tipster or the police.

 

Of course, most illegal gambling dens pay off someone in the local plod to tell them about raids and such. These guys won’t have done that because they weren’t gambling.

[LALes]

Parcheesi!  Illegal!

[Srikcir]

16 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Can’t really blame the tipster or the police.

Blameless or no due diligence? You answered that

17 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

These guys won’t have done that because they weren’t gambling.

Police did no diligence and it appears the tipster did not describe exactly what sort of illegal gambling took place because the tipster was not apparently at the scene.

[doily19]

I understand the laws against gambling. Coming from Australia I have seen only too well the damage poker machines and casinos can do to a family, financially and socially. But for the life of me I can't understand an Act of the Parliament, established in 1935, still prohibiting the owning of more than the prescribed number of playing cards (200 I think?). That said, why would anyone want to own more? I myself have several boardgames such as Monopoly and others that require the use of pretend money. Is this legal? Plus a deck of cards (somewhere. I daren't bring them out of the cupboard). Card games such as UNO, and normal playing cards that can be used for a range of games not requiring money, are all suspected to corrupt the minds of Thai people, yet I can take you to a Cockfighting ring in Chiang Rai, out in the open. I have no interest in such a 'sport', but I do know where it goes on and I'm sure the local cops do. Clearly not an issue for the police. None of my wife's family play board games. They haven't grown up with them, however many of these games enable one to develop strategic thinking, while having engaging interaction and fun with family and friends. I have great memories growing up with these games and the bonding of those taking part. Do we now have to draw the shades to avoid police raids and interrogation? Yet, everybody is sitting around staring at their phones, cut off from each other, selling and/or buy truckloads of lottery tickets. Time for a review and let the police focus on more serious going-ons, rather than stalking the homes of families simply enjoying the company of others.  Just my thoughts.

[Showtime]

I wonder how many baht this cost the players.  "Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, they apologized for the intrusion and exited the premises."

 

 

[Watawattana]

Classic misunderstanding 😆

[Purdey]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

sparking online debate

Yet another mass debate over nothing.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Gsxrnz said:

Bridge, anybody? 

Monopoly or battleships is popular I hear.... 

[mancub]

[Iron Tongue]

Hey, it was a mistake.  

The police apologised and left.  That's what they're supposed to do.

But I can't help but feel that some here wouldn't be happy unless the cops beat confessions out of everybody.

[Photoguy21]

In Thailand are they allowed to enter a home without a warrant? I have no idea but if they do need some official paperwork then what they did was out of order.

[wensiensheng]

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Blameless or no due diligence? You answered that

Police did no diligence and it appears the tipster did not describe exactly what sort of illegal gambling took place because the tipster was not apparently at the scene.

I’m not sure what due diligence you expect. They are hardly going to engage in a clandestine operation to install hidden cameras and microphones.

 

They got a tip off. They saw multiple people gathering and maybe even saw them around a board of some sort. They barged in, realized they made a mistake and left.

 

so this is one that didn’t pay off. What’s the big deal?

[IsaanGuy]

Shame plod hasn’t got the same enthusiasm for stopping those not wearing crash helmets or catching drunk drivers. 
They probably assumed busting a gambling den would ensure some brown envelopes coming their way. 
Better luck next time fellas!

[Kerryd]

There is a LOT of gambling that goes on in Thailand and most foreigners are clueless about it.

So many times I've gone somewhere with a Thai girl or with other friends and suddenly someone pulls out a PVC mat with numbered squares and some dice or cards and suddenly everyone is throwing money on different squares and hooting and hollering. 
It can go on for hours, depending on how lucky some are or how lucky the "house" is.

And games people start playing for 5 and 10 baht often jump to 20 and 100 baht very quickly and suddenly instead of losing 200 baht people have lost their wages for the whole month.

I usually walk away and find a quiet place to chill until they're finished. Some people can get a little "agitated" if their luck isn't with them, or they think someone else is a little "too lucky".

And we know the famous Thai smiles and friendliness is a very thin facade over a lot of bottled up rage.

Which probably has a lot to do with why gambling is illegal in the first place. And a hint of what could happen if that changes in the future.

[connda]

Reminds me of the time the BIB busted an expat Bridge Club.  Playing Bridge - The Crime Of The Century! Looks like playing board games are a close second in the BIB's assessment of Vice Crimes.  Thailand's obsession with keeping the "little people" from gambling while planning to allow their wealthy friends to build casinos is just absurd.