Police Arrest Five Chinese Nationals in Hotel Gambling Raid

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid 

Police in Bang Lamung, Chonburi province, have arrested five Chinese nationals during a raid on a hotel in the Na Kluea area for illegal gambling, seizing cash and equipment used in the activity. The arrests were carried out on 18 December 2025 as part of a wider crackdown on vice, with all suspects admitting to the offences during questioning. Officers said the operation was conducted with transparently and in accordance with legal procedures.

According to the arrest report, the operation was led by Pol Col Sarawut Nuchanat, Superintendent of Bang Lamung Police Station, working with investigators from Provincial Police Region 2, Chonburi Immigration Police and Chonburi Tourist Police. Officers seized two decks of playing cards, 7,000 baht in cash and a cloth used for gambling during the raid at the hotel in Bang Lamung district. Authorities said the suspects were Chinese nationals staying at the property.

The arrests followed a tip-off from an informant, who requested anonymity and sought a reward for providing information. The source reported that a group of Chinese men were secretly gambling in a hotel in Na Kluea, prompting officers to inform senior commanders and plan a coordinated inspection. Police then travelled to the hotel to verify the information and take action.

At the scene, officers found four suspects sitting together and actively gambling, and immediately identified themselves before making the arrests. A fifth suspect was found standing nearby and detained at the same time. All items linked to the gambling activity were seized as evidence.

Through an interpreter, the four gamblers admitted to jointly playing a three-card gambling game involving money. The fifth suspect confessed to organising the gambling session for personal gain, charging a management fee of 1,000 baht for every four-hour period. Police said this constituted organising illegal gambling for profit.

The four gamblers were charged with participating in illegal gambling involving property without authorisation, while the organiser was charged with arranging illegal gambling for benefit. All five suspects confessed to the charges during the arrest process and were transferred, along with the seized evidence, to Bang Lamung Police Station investigators for further legal proceedings.

Thaitabloid reported that police stated that audio and video recordings were made throughout the arrest and detention process, except for brief periods affected by equipment malfunction. The arrest was formally reported to the Pattaya Provincial Prosecutor, the national crime prevention centre and the Department of Provincial Administration via its online system, with all documents read to and provided to the suspects.

Key Takeaways

• Five Chinese nationals were arrested in Bang Lamung on 18 December 2025 for illegal gambling in a hotel.

• Police seized two decks of cards, 7,000 baht in cash and related items as evidence.

• All suspects confessed and were transferred for prosecution under the law.

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from  Thaitabloid. 2025-12-19