Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Immigration Police have arrested a Chinese fugitive and uncovered an illegal foreign-run poker den operating in central Chonburi, leading to the detention of multiple foreign nationals and one Thai organiser. The raid disrupted an active gambling operation that authorities said was designed to evade detection by frequently changing locations. One suspect was also found to be overstaying his visa, triggering additional immigration charges.

The case began on 8 January 2026, when officers from Immigration Division 3 received intelligence about a Chinese national suspected of hiding in an up market housing estate in Chonburi province. The man reportedly avoided contact with others and rarely left the property, raising suspicions that he was living in Thailand illegally. Police believed the information credible and began surveillance of the area.

Following orders from Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3, investigators monitored the estate and identified a man matching the description on 9 January at around 4pm. The suspect, later identified as Mr Dahua, aged 22, a Chinese national, was stopped and found to have no record of lawful entry into Thailand. He was arrested on charges of entering and remaining in the kingdom without permission.

During his arrest, Mr Dahua was seen attempting to delete data from his mobile phone, prompting officers to examine the device. Police found contact records and images related to nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, and later discovered 19 gas cylinders at his residence. Although Mr Dahua claimed the gas was for personal use, officers did not believe him due to the quantity involved.

Further coordination with international law enforcement confirmed that Mr Dahua was wanted under a Chinese arrest warrant for illegally distributing nitrous oxide. Authorities believe he fled China through Laos before hiding in Thailand and suspect the gas was intended for illegal sale to entertainment venues in eastern Thailand and Bangkok.

On 10 January, investigators expanded the probe after discovering photos and location data on Mr Dahua’s phone linked to a poker den in Chonburi. He told police the operation was a floating poker venue using chips exchanged for cash, with weekly location changes arranged via social media.

Khoasod reported that police used a drone to survey a three-storey house at the identified location and observed more than 10 people inside, including European and Chinese nationals. Fearing evidence would be destroyed if delayed, officers entered the property and found suspects actively gambling. After a brief chase, nine foreign nationals and one Thai organiser were detained, including one British national found to be overstaying his visa.

Key Takeaways

• Immigration Police arrested a Chinese fugitive and uncovered a mobile poker den in Chonburi in January 2026.

• Nine foreign nationals of six nationalities and one Thai organiser were detained during the raid.

• One British suspect faces additional charges for overstaying his permitted stay in Thailand.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-11

 

 

1 minute ago, Georgealbert said:

The man reportedly avoided contact with others and rarely left the property, raising suspicions that he was living in Thailand illegally.

Sounds like the perfect neighbour, minding his own. And yet some busybody still reported him. I would swap my neighbours and their dogs gladly!

Foreign idiots..sayonara.

Next they're going to hit Bridge Clubs (again) and Darts competitions.

Get Dwon get dwown so loud it nearly bust my speakers.......

Next on the list: strip poker!

9 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Next on the list: strip poker!

I see your thong and raise you one pair of Marks and Spencer Y-Fronts.

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Sounds like the perfect neighbour

"Mr Dahua, aged 22, a Chinese national, was stopped and found to have no record of lawful entry into Thailand". Illegal alien, an ideal neighbour, indeed.

6 hours ago, mikebell said:

Next they're going to hit Bridge Clubs (again)

Only if they are gambling.

8 hours ago, norsurin said:

Foreign idiots..sayonara.

Yeah. Why wouldn't they just gamble online, using a VPN?

30 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Only if they are gambling.

Did they repeal the Playing Cards Act of 1935? 😂

BBC News

Thai police arrest elderly bridge players in Pattaya

Thai police say they have arrested some unexpected lawbreakers during an anti-gambling raid - 32 elderly bridge players, including 12 Britons.

"The members had broken a 1935 law, the Playing Cards Act, which prohibits individuals from possessing more than 120 playing cards, Pattaya One said."

We have not a a good poker den bust in Phuket for a long time,

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police found contact records and images related to nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas

So he is a member of the LGBT community,

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The man reportedly avoided contact with others and rarely left the property, raising suspicions that he was living in Thailand illegally.

90% of AN members better be prepared for a raid.

9 hours ago, mikebell said:

Next they're going to hit Bridge Clubs (again) and Darts competitions.

Bridge Clubs are fine. All the players do have valid retirement Visas.😀

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

So he is a member of the LGBT community,

You are thinking of amylnitrate. Muscle relaxant.

What were these guys thinking playing illegal poker in the sex tourism capital of the world? Illegal means illegal but I guess some of us need to learn the hard way.

Yes, coz anything making good money in Thailand, be it legal or illegal is reserved for the locals only.

In the end....the moo baan always wins.

12 hours ago, Beat666 said:

Bridge Clubs are fine. All the players do have valid retirement Visas.😀

Arrest of foreign bridge players in Pattaya 'tarnished Thailand’s image'

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I hate having to explain my jokes.

Mr Dahua, aged 22, a Chinese national,

Not bad for a young guy already on the run.

7 hours ago, mikebell said:

Arrest of foreign bridge players in Pattaya 'tarnished Thailand’s image'

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I hate having to explain my jokes.

How many times did this occur again between 2016 and 2026?

18 hours ago, Beat666 said:

How many times did this occur again between 2016 and 2026?

It's a joke!

On 1/11/2026 at 2:27 PM, NorthernRyland said:

What were these guys thinking playing illegal poker in the sex tourism capital of the world? Illegal means illegal but I guess some of us need to learn the hard way.

Who is the victim in this crime?

11 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Who is the victim in this crime?

The guy who loses...... playing poker for money is illegal so it's like he was cheated.

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

The guy who loses...... playing poker for money is illegal so it's like he was cheated.

On that basis, the Thai Lottery should be banned also. 🙂