Picture courtesy of สายข่าวพัทยา

 

Local residents have long complained about vehicles blocking narrow lanes in their neighbourhood. Acting on these reports, Chonburi Immigration authorities launched a coordinated operation that led to the discovery of an illegal poker den run by Chinese and South Korean nationals.

 

Under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonylaksam, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, and senior officers including Police Major General Piti Nithinnontset, Police Major General Panthana Nuchanat, and Police Major General Chaiyrit Anurit, officers from multiple investigative units raided a house in the Thung Klom–Tan Man alley, Bang Lamung district.

 

The operation, led by Deputy Superintendent Kawinwat Arayasurivong and Inspector Thong Totanan of Chonburi Immigration, uncovered nine foreign nationals in the midst of a poker game, five Chinese and four South Koreans. All were immediately detained.

 

Authorities seized four poker tables, 60 decks of cards, nine mobile phones, a banknote counter, a large box of chips and cash amounting to 150,360 baht, with the total value of exceeding one million baht.

 

Initial investigations revealed that the den had been operating for approximately ten days. Local residents confirmed that vehicles frequently blocked the alley, sometimes making passage impossible, prompting them to alert the authorities.

 

The detainees have been handed over to the Nong Prue Police Station to face charges including organising gambling, participating in gambling for profit and illegal poker games.

 

In addition, the organiser, identified as Mr Hao, who rented the property, faces an extra charge for overstaying in Thailand by six days. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether a larger network is behind this illegal gambling operation.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-08-27

 

 

 

Thought Poker was now a sport in Thailand as "game of skill not gambling" ( even though using chips to place bets ) 

How can it be proved they weren't just playing a "sport"?

I always like to check-in for the 'busted' photo/s.

13 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Thought Poker was now a sport in Thailand as "game of skill not gambling" ( even though using chips to place bets ) 

How can it be proved they weren't just playing a "sport"?

Like the aged bridge club that got hauled off to the police station and fined some years ago in Pattaya?

13 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Thought Poker was now a sport in Thailand as "game of skill not gambling" ( even though using chips to place bets ) 

How can it be proved they weren't just playing a "sport"?

  

How can it be proved they weren't just playing a "sport"?

Authorities seized four poker tables, 60 decks of cards, nine mobile phones, a banknote counter, a large box of chips and cash amounting to 150,360 baht, with the total value of exceeding one million baht.

Which sport do you need that type of money at hand if it doesn't involve gambling?

 

On 8/27/2025 at 5:05 PM, phil2407 said:

Thought Poker was now a sport in Thailand as "game of skill not gambling" ( even though using chips to place bets ) 

How can it be proved they weren't just playing a "sport"?

If they are not licensed, it's illegal. 

 

On 8/27/2025 at 6:05 AM, phil2407 said:

Thought Poker was now a sport in Thailand as "game of skill not gambling" ( even though using chips to place bets ) 

How can it be proved they weren't just playing a "sport"?

 

Come on, get real. The poker games are set up to exploit gambling addicts. These games are typically fixed with gimmicks such as marked cards, cameras, signaling etc. that allow marks to be picked clean. Dig deeper and you will find ties to organized crime. Gambling is a serious social blight in this region.