Bangkok Huai Khwang Police Turned A Blind Eye To Gambling Den

[webfact]

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

Police turned blind eye to gambling

By The Nation

Station chief transferred; issue to be taken to national graft

The National police commissioner, General Wichean Potephosree, yesterday slapped a transfer order on the superintendent of Huai Khwang police station for allegedly allowing a gambling den to operate in the area under his jurisdiction.

The Office of the Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) had claimed that this police station was allowing an online gambling den to operate from a major shopping mall and that policemen in the area had failed to join them in a raid on Wednesday. The PACC is planning to charge these officers with dereliction of duty if there is enough evidence.

However, police at the Huai Khwang station claim that they had no prior knowledge of the existence of a gambling parlour and that they could not join the raid because they had to provide security to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the time.

The gambling parlour was found inside Esplanade shopping mall, which is under the jurisdiction of Huai Khwang police station.

PACC secretarygeneral Amphon Wongsiri said that after a tip from a "good citizen" about a gambling den being operated out of a shop called Mini Land, the commission had to rely on the 191 emergency police force to conduct a raid because the local officers were unavailable. The PACC does not have the authority to conduct a raid on its own.

Amphon said officers found gambling taking place openly at the shopping mall and that it would take the matter to the National AntiCorruption Commission and seek an investigation into the local police officers' conduct and possible role in the gambling den.

He acknowledged that getting local police to crack down on illegal establishments was a very difficult task and that in many cases, local police benefited from such businesses.

He added that while the PACC had no intention of stepping on anybody's toes, it could not sit by idly when it encountered illegal activities.

Pol Colonel Boonsong Narmkorn, chief of the Huai Khwang police station, said his men were busy on the day of the operation because they had to look after Abhisit's security at the Channel 9 television station nearby.

Boonsong added that he had sent police cars to pick up confiscated evidence at the mall, but since no gambling was actually taking place at the time of the raid and nobody was there, nobody could be charged.

"All the police can do now is send the gambling machines to the Customs Department to see if they were imported legally and get experts to see if the establishment was breaking the law," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-06

[rkidlad]

Thanks god other superintendents of other areas are not allowing things like this to happen. Just a one off.

[kmj]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government ) and kick them out of the force, not just transfer them so they can start somewhere else.

The government are so weak it's like a comedy show.

Edited May 6, 2011 by kmj

[Valentine]

How can it even be considered that a gambling machine was imported legally?

[scorecard]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government ) and kick them out of the force, not just transfer them so they can start somewhere else.

The government are so weak it's like a comedy show.

You say "The government are so weak it's like a comedy show".

Well there is some truth in your statement but let's remember that this government inherited a police 'force' which has developed into what it is over many decades and was allowed to develop into what it is today under the nose of mumerous past governments who (in many cases deliberately) did nothing to correct the situation.

That doesn't mean of course that it's OK to allow it to continue like this.

[sirchai]

Thanks god other superintendents of other areas are not allowing things like this to happen. Just a one off.

Boonsong added that he had sent police cars to pick up confiscated evidence at the mall, but since no gambling was actually taking place at the time of the raid and nobody was there, nobody could be charged.

I wonder why not............lol :jap:

[jazzbo]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government )...

Why don't you grow some first and show 'em how it's done.

... when gambling is found in a place like the Esplanade it usually means someone hasn't been making their payoffs.

Edited May 6, 2011 by jazzbo

[AZBill]

Well you can understand of course given that the tea served their was quite delicious!

[AleG]

The heck.... In Esplanade mall? What does it tell of the overall situation if a gambling den is found inside an arcade in one of the most popular mall in Bangkok? And it takes that to get noticed and raided. Outstanding detective work there, maybe next they'll find the prostitution houses, cunningly camouflaged behind huge neon signs advertising girls and special massages.

[kmj]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government )...

Why don't you grow some first and show 'em how it's done.

... when gambling is found in a place like the Esplanade it usually means someone hasn't been making their payoffs.

I didn't choose to be in government, I don't get paid to make these changes, so why don't you stop being one of the governments bitches...

[toybits]

Why it's the same here in Chiang Rai. Everybody knows where to gamble illegally but the police don't come. When I lived at Klongsarn (Thonburi), I would see BIBS make their collection round in our Soi off Tha Din Daeng. Dirty BIBS. So who you gonna call?

[ginjag]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government ) and kick them out of the force, not just transfer them so they can start somewhere else.

The government are so weak it's like a comedy show.

You say "The government are so weak it's like a comedy show".

Well there is some truth in your statement but let's remember that this government inherited a police 'force' which has developed into what it is over many decades and was allowed to develop into what it is today under the nose of mumerous past governments who (in many cases deliberately) did nothing to correct the situation.

That doesn't mean of course that it's OK to allow it to continue like this.

I'm with you on this, the government long before this one was 1000 times more bad, What is comical is the guy was TRANSFERED- This is the biggest joke.

This gambling is nationwide near on every street corner, from chicken fights, to big card business. In our local small town we have 2 gambling dens, police aware -sure-and this is multiplied by all other towns and cities. If we transferred all the chiefs WHERE TO ???? immigration extra staff ? use them to stamp out all tourist scams ?? Burma/Cambodia border patrol would be better. If the army wasn't pulling the strings, the government having FULL power could start to make some inroads into corruption

[ginjag]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government ) and kick them out of the force, not just transfer them so they can start somewhere else.

The government are so weak it's like a comedy show.

Army and Police power--government cannot overturn this, its inherited over decades, only the Thai people can do it, object locally, but they never will as they are afraid to rattle authority.

[JusMe]

And what happened to the superintendent who was transferred to an "inactive post" as a result of the bar that served several hundred under age kids during Songkran?

There was a raid, and apparently hard written evidence found of a number of police officers from the local station being paid off, 500 baht per day if I recall correctly.

This was all the result of interviewing the girls who danced topless! Bit of revenge there, justified, I'd figure.

But after the initial report of evidence found and a superintendent shuffled off - nothing further.

[Edit: punctuation]

Edited May 6, 2011 by JusMe

[Tatsujin]

You're missing the point . . . they don't WANT things to change . . . they like their backhanders, tea money etc and this goes right from the top to the very bottom . . . that is how business, government and LIFE runs in Thailand. Just occasionally they have to make a "show" of doing something about it is all.

[webfact]

Charges Pending Against Game Center Operating Slot-Baccarat Machines in Famous Shopping Mall

The commander of Huai Khwang Police Station says no charges have been filed against the owner of a gaming center where poker and baccarat machines have been seized in a raid at a shopping center on Ratchadaphisek Road, because there is no evidence of unlawful activities.

Commander of Huai Khwang Police Station Police General Boonsong Namkorn reported development in investigation in connection with the recent raid on a gaming center on the 2nd floor of the Esplanade shopping center where inspectors from the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission seized online baccarat and slot machines yesterday's evening.

He said no charges have been filed against its owner as Scientific Crime Detection Division officers are probing the confiscated machines to determine whether they can be used for a gambling purpose and have to be taxed.

Boonsong added police found no violation of the law yet as there was no gambler in the shop.

Regarding the complaints of Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission Office Amphon Wongsiri that his team did not receive cooperation from local police, the police station commander explained that he did not receive the request for assistance because he was on duty at Channel 9 TV station to ensure security for the Prime Minister who was visiting there.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-06

[tragickingdom]

The wait now is for the threats on the lives of people who have taken action. Just as in the case of the University professor who wrote a report about the obscene amounts of money that the Police in Bangrak was making. From the traffic police till the highest hi raki they were making enormous money. Maybe they should parade the police in front of the camera's just like the poor girls that were dancing topless. the real vice is corruption, the elite and the Thai police.

[toybits]

Totally agree. They are in control now. If gambling was legalized, they would loose that business. This is why most of the casinos are located just across the border.

You're missing the point . . . they don't WANT things to change . . . they like their backhanders, tea money etc and this goes right from the top to the very bottom . . . that is how business, government and LIFE runs in Thailand. Just occasionally they have to make a "show" of doing something about it is all.

[CrustyJuggler66]

Obviously a few more 'good citizens' are needed.... But who do they go to without making trouble for themselves or their family? Slim pickings! The sad realisation is some countries are just beyond fixing.

Corruption is everywhere but Thailand is utterly corrupt from top to bottom. Sadly i have no sympathy at all.

[pacovl46]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government ) and kick them out of the force, not just transfer them so they can start somewhere else.

The government are so weak it's like a comedy show.

it's called kreng jai!

[pacovl46]

the headline should be: police hold out open hand instead of turning a blind eye!!!

[OzMick]

1/ PACC calls Huai Khwang - we are going to raid gambling den, have you got officers available?

2/ PACC Raid den, no punters, so no charges

Somewhere between 1/ and 2/ a call was made (Noshitsherlock) Is it beyond the capacity of the BIB to trace who called?

[banmebkk]

Why don't they grow some balls ( the government ) and kick them out of the force, not just transfer them so they can start somewhere else.

The government are so weak it's like a comedy show.

Proper way of handling things is to sack these corrupted folks. Transferring them is to save them face.

Another thing that comes to mind is the poor investigation skills these police conducted, why didn't they raid the place another time when there are people and possibly the shop owner present?

[Chris Lawrence]

Gambling should be handed over to the proper authority The Catholic Church. They would only run bingo nights with profits going to the needy; other priests. Then move on to chook and meat raffles in the local pubs. When they are ready, horse racing and then poker machines.

People are going to gamble. My suggestion has always to make the Govt your silent partner. They would always be the winner.

Honestly, I remember the sligh gambling house's around Sydney, OZ. Every one knew where they were and the operated every night. They don't go away. At least legalised gambling some income is coming in to help the problem gamblers. Sounds silly when you write it but it is a victimless crime in a sense.

[jfchandler]

The reporting and news presenting by The Nation here is useless... For example:

In the original article

Amphon [of NACC] said officers found gambling taking place openly at the shopping mall

Boonsong [the police commander] added that ... since no gambling was actually taking place at the time of the raid and nobody was there, nobody could be charged.

How exactly is the reader supposed to reconcile those two things... The Nation surely doesn't do it...

And then in the followup:

The headline: Charges Pending Against Game Center Operating Slot-Baccarat Machines

The article: The commander of Huai Khwang Police Station says no charges have been filed against the owner of a gaming center

And then there's this:

Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission seized online baccarat and slot machines yesterday's evening.

Scientific Crime Detection Division officers are probing the confiscated machines to determine whether they can be used for a gambling purpose and have to be taxed.

What exactly would online baccarat and slot machines be used for, other than a gambling purpose...

BTW, I'm assuming the HK station commander is being transferred to head the BIB's anti-gambling task force... What better place to put him?

[SlumdogMillionaire]

Why it's the same here in Chiang Rai. Everybody knows where to gamble illegally but the police don't come. When I lived at Klongsarn (Thonburi), I would see BIBS make their collection round in our Soi off Tha Din Daeng. Dirty BIBS. So who you gonna call?

Ghostbuuusters !!!

[wallcracks]

You're missing the point . . . they don't WANT things to change . . . they like their backhanders, tea money etc and this goes right from the top to the very bottom . . . that is how business, government and LIFE runs in Thailand. Just occasionally they have to make a "show" of doing something about it is all.

Right since a Cop in Thailand gets just a few Thousand Baht a Month it s no wonder...

But to be honest , guess most of us like it they way it is and there is no need to change anyway !!!

How often I got stoped with my Car and...

Maybe I would have lost my Licence all ready if it would not be that way...

[Macmundi]

Both the Huay Kwang and Makkasan police stations are corrupt. Many more illegal businesses operating and paying protection fees to these stations.

[TAWP]

Heh, Mini Land in Esplanade isn't really a gambling den compared to the real ones...I mean, everybody knows about the big place close to Pantip, right? Now, that is a real illegal casino...

[webfact]

PACC sticks by its report bling den

By The Nation

The Office of Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) yesterday stuck by its report that a gaming shop in Bangkok's Esplanade shopping mall was running an illegal gambling den, but that officers from Huai Khwang police station had warned the shop owner ahead of the raid on Thursday.

PACC's secretarygeneral Amphon Wongsiri said the commission had contacted a 191 policepatrol unit ahead of the raid, but had not contacted the Huai Khwang police station, whose jurisdiction the highend shopping mall on Ratchadaphisek Road comes under.

"I did not inform other police units because news of upcoming PACC raids has always been leaked. I admit that I don't trust [local] police and don't want them to play a part in PACC missions. Previously, PACC had notified the police about gambling consoles being operated in areas under their jurisdiction, but there was never an arrest and the consoles were removed," he said.

During the raid at the shop called Mini Land, he said punters were told to leave and all the kiosks were unplugged. "So there was nothing for the 191 patrol officers to witness when they arrived," he explained.

However, Amphon said PACC agents had enough video evidence and reports from members of the media who were present at the raid, to prove that illegal gambling was indeed taking place at the shopping centre.

Huai Khwang police chief Pol Colonel Boonsong Narmkorn said the commission could only conduct raids or make arrests when a criminal activity was underway, adding that only 15 unused gaming machines were found at Mini Land.

PACC has recently been set up to tackle corruption among government agencies, while the National AntiCorruption Commission handles graft allegations against politicians, holders of political office and senior officials.

This new agency has received plaudits and support via online webboards, where the local police force is regularly condemned. It is a popular belief that police officers across the nation take bribes to turn a blind eye to illegal activities. This belief was supported by a police division commander, who led a raid on a Bangkok gambling den recently, saying that the raid was only a success because "all officers at various police stations were hand in their mobile phones so they could not warn the den owner".

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said: "This is a bizarre story, where the PACC has tried to protect the youth by taking action against people who hurt society, but another agency [Huai Khwang police station] has come to their [the shop owner's] rescue by attacking an agency that does its job."

Pirapan said some legal amendments might be needed to give PACC more authority, while Amphon said clear guidelines should be set defining what the PACC can and cannot do.

-- The Nation 2011-05-07