Picture courtesy of TOP News | via The Thaiger

 

In a late-night crackdown, ten foreign nationals were arrested on Koh Phangan for illegal gambling on December 2. Division 5 of the Tourist Police Bureau led the operation after receiving a tip about gambling activities involving foreigners. The raid occurred around 10pm at a rented property, revealing a poker game in progress.

 

Upon their arrival, officers observed several motorbikes outside the venue and spotted individuals playing cards behind partially closed curtains. After recording video footage, police entered and found six Russians, a Romanian, an Israeli, a German, and a British national seated at a poker table. The group was using multiple decks, poker chips, and an automatic card shuffler, with additional gambling paraphernalia seized from the premises.

 

Media reports identify Anton Kozko, a 36-year-old Russian man, as the organiser. He allegedly rented the house for 30,000 Thai baht a month and invited participants via phone and messaging apps. Kozko had 134,950 Thai baht in cash in his waist bag, serving as crucial evidence alongside the gambling equipment.

 

All participants were charged with gambling for monetary gain, and Kozko faced an additional charge for organising the activity. They were taken to Koh Phangan Police Station for processing. Pol. Lt. Col. Winit Boonchit, head of the Tourist Police Division 5, confirmed both the operation and arrests.

 

Thailand maintains strict gambling laws, with only state lotteries and select horse racing events deemed legal. In October, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reversed a previous government decision recognising poker as a sport, reaffirming a commitment to rigorous enforcement against unauthorised gambling., reported The Thaiger

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Ten foreigners were arrested for illegal gambling in Koh Phangan.
• Seized items include poker chips and 134,950 Thai baht in cash.
• Thailand enforces stringent laws against illegal gambling activities.

 

Related stories: 

British Woman Charged Over Koh Samui Nominee Bar Case

German Fugitive Arrested on Koh Phangan After Reckless Driving

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-04

 

 

 

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And here i thought Thais announced playing poker as a recognised sport? Or was it poke her? 

 

https://www.facebook.com/thethaigernews/videos/thailand-has-officially-lifted-its-ban-on-poker-aiming-to-recognize-the-game-as-/1125564702778401/

 

There was no money on the table... So no reason to to think they were gambling for money other than the use of chips which is standard when playing poker for fun as well as gambling. The money in the mans bag could easily have been his. He is a foreigner and is quite possible was not from those playing poker. 

Personally, the only gambling I like is with the game poke her. I wonder if they would arrest me for this? Haha.. 

Some poor loser earlier in the evening dropped a dime more than likely as usual!! 

 

 

I have to give credit to the Koh Phangan police. Over the last month they have racked up an impressive amount of arrests.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

I have to give credit to the Koh Phangan police. Over the last month they have racked up an impressive amount of arrests.

Been a long time coming.... I wonder what tipped the balance after years of nothing

No Thais involved? What did the fools expect? Greedy sod decided not to pay police protection. Lesson learned.