Bangkok police nab 259 people for World Cup gambling

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai police said Tuesday they had arrested 259 people in Bangkok and seized cash of 83,230 baht (2,565 dollars) as part of a crackdown on illegal gambling during the World Cup.

Most gambling is outlawed in the kingdom but it remains popular, despite the threat of a fine of 1,000 baht or jail term of up to one year for having a flutter on the tournament, which began Friday in South Africa.

Thai police have set up special centres around the country to stamp out World Cup gambling, which the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce estimates will top 37.0 billion baht this year.

During Euro 2008, more than 1,000 people were arrested in Thailand for gambling on football matches, with nearly one million baht in cash seized.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-15

What a waste of police resources but then again why not, people burn down the city, and the police turn a blind eye.

1k baht in penalty...or one year in jail...that is how much the jail-time is worth here?

thailand, will they ever understand ???

make it legal... earn tax and profit on it ... open some casino's ...

is it worse than forced prostitution / phedofiles / drug dealers / gangs ???

WOW world news, Nation News 10 USD per person. Maybe the Bangkok police should grow up and close down all those gambling dens in their respective districts from which they themselves make lots of money. Those do far more harm.But because this nice site is affiliated with the establishments mouthpiece news papers I gently take off my head and say "Chapeau" keep on the good work, maybe motorists are no longer extorted now the upstanding men are busy.

If the gov't is not able to get their already dirty hands into the cash pot, it's deemed illegal. What a crock this story is.

Right, the cops cannot stop people from burning town halls or Bangkok and cannot arrest violent demonstrators but can they haul in the gamblers! They cannot stop the tuk-tuks from blocking the Port at Phuket They can also quickly stop a demonstration by blind lottery vendors.

They should all hang their heads in shame. Useless group from top to bottom.

Nahkbin

There must be a lack of tourists to ticket for BS motor-scooter violations.

Interesting that such a small amount of money was seized.

I wonder where the rest went?

thieans 259 people would not

pay the BIB tea fund.

Interesting that such a small amount of money was seized.

I wonder where the rest went?

I LOVE THAILAND ! Leave them Be I Say !!!

They should be out catching arsonists that caused millions of bahts worth of damage.

I suppose gamblers have cash-on-hip so its more worth their while in bribes.

What a terrible waste of time and resources

Edited June 15, 201016 yr by Pui

Interesting that such a small amount of money was seized.

I wonder where the rest went?

These were small fish only, so not much money. The big fish have money, but probably also a bit better 'protection'?

Estimated 37Bn this year and they have 83,000 so far - Hmmm - well that works, they are obviously looking for the jack pot. What morons - total stupidity, go back to taking bribes on street corners - mental geniuses.

1k baht in penalty...or one year in jail...that is how much the jail-time is worth here?

yeah right, you'd certainly want to have 1000 baht note handy! ha ha

I'll wager the BIB will hit the jackpot and clean up if they play their cards right and the odds go in their favour.

Edited June 15, 201016 yr by sibeymai

Right, the cops cannot stop people from burning town halls or Bangkok and cannot arrest violent demonstrators but can they haul in the gamblers! They cannot stop the tuk-tuks from blocking the Port at Phuket They can also quickly stop a demonstration by blind lottery vendors.

They should all hang their heads in shame. Useless group from top to bottom.

Nahkbin

I agree with your points:

They don't get paid to deal with violent people who may fight back, there's no money in that! Tuk tuk drivers, they part of that whole mess, probably own half of them.

Blind lottery venders, they won't put up much of a fight. Neither will gamblers... Go for the easy targets and easy money!

What a waste of police resources but then again why not, people burn down the city, and the police turn a blind eye.

Why is clamping down on illegal activities a waste of resources. If they didn't do anything you'd probably complain as well. What would you like the police to do? Ignore crime or catch the criminals?

thailand, will they ever understand ???

make it legal... earn tax and profit on it ... open some casino's ...

is it worse than forced prostitution / phedofiles / drug dealers / gangs ???

Not to mention the fact that each week, thousands of middle and upper class Thais gamble millions of baht at the two Royal horse racing grounds in Bangkok (and I belive in Chang Mai).

As always in the land of the people with two-faces, there is one rule for the haves and one for the have-nots, perpetuated by an elite class of Police, Army and bureaucrats. No wonder there is dissent !

I wonder if the police force in Thailand know that they are considered a total joke?

I wonder if the police force in Thailand know that are thought of as scum sucking thiefs?

I wonder if they care?

1k baht in penalty...or one year in jail...that is how much the jail-time is worth here?

1k obviously calculated on the quality of food they serve you during that one year in the box...

What a waste of police resources but then again why not, people burn down the city, and the police turn a blind eye.

Why is clamping down on illegal activities a waste of resources. If they didn't do anything you'd probably complain as well. What would you like the police to do? Ignore crime or catch the criminals?

Not sure if its quite as black and white as that

You must be aware of the recent destruction to property in Bangkok!?! Nobody has been arrested! Yet the Police have time for clamping down on something as seemingly trivial as gambling. Which carries a fine 1000baht. Thats around 20 Quid.

So to summarize I think the criticism is - Do the Police have their priorities right?

Edited June 15, 201016 yr by Pui

LIKE A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK,HARDLY WORTH IT TO NICK THEM

There must be a lack of tourists to ticket for BS motor-scooter violations.

Hey, don't knock traffic tickets, for scooter or autos. It's a big money maker for the police "even when they don't issue ticket."

Much as I appreciate TV's email alerts pertaining to important events in the Kingdom, I do feel that this announcement was not quite worthy of a place in my inbox.

Incidentally, 259 is a very precise number. Anyone running a book on the final total?

What a waste of police resources but then again why not, people burn down the city, and the police turn a blind eye.

Why is clamping down on illegal activities a waste of resources. If they didn't do anything you'd probably complain as well. What would you like the police to do? Ignore crime or catch the criminals?

Not sure if its quite as black and white as that

You must be aware of the recent destruction to property in Bangkok!?! Nobody has been arrested! Yet the Police have time for clamping down on something as seemingly trivial as gambling. Which carries a fine 1000baht. Thats around 20 Quid.

So to summarize I think the criticism is - Do the Police have their priorities right?

To summarize: No, they have their priorities wrong! Their priority is to collect money, not stop crime...

Pity they couldn't arrest some red shirts for gambling with people's lives!

1,000 baht fine eh!.

That's not a deterrent, it's a licence.

Edited June 15, 201016 yr by Moonrakers

Right, the cops cannot stop people from burning town halls or Bangkok and cannot arrest violent demonstrators but can they haul in the gamblers! They cannot stop the tuk-tuks from blocking the Port at Phuket They can also quickly stop a demonstration by blind lottery vendors.

They should all hang their heads in shame. Useless group from top to bottom.

Nahkbin

Newbie, for your fifth post this is a hit on the head of the nail. You're surely not new here... Even been banned by the global murderators?

What a waste of police resources but then again why not, people burn down the city, and the police turn a blind eye.

You seem to miss the point!

At least I can sleep soundly in my bed tonight knowing that I will not be attacked and assaulted by World Cup Gamblers! Well done to the Royal Thai Ploice - you truly are the envy of the world! Bless em!

Edited June 15, 201016 yr by billythefish