Bang Sue Locals Stymie Police Attempt To Raid Casino

[webfact]

Locals stymie police attempt to raid casino
Noppadol Sritaweekas,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- More than 200 commandos yesterday afternoon stormed Bon Taopoon, an especially notorious illegal casino, but were thwarted by a hail of bottles and glasses thrown by residents of Bang Sue district.

"Although we couldn't arrest any gamblers this time, we believe we have sent our message across that we are seriously cracking down on gambling," said Maj-General Suthee Nenkantee, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2.

Some locals even sprayed fire extinguishers, so many police climbed onto the roof to reach the target. During the operation, two fell down and suffered minor injuries.

Because of the obstruction, it took more than 45 minutes to reach the real gambling den - a building on Trok khao san Road.

By the time the police got inside, the main hall just had seven baccarat tables and various kinds of gambling paraphernalia.

It was still cool inside with the air-conditioners running but no punter was in sight.

Police suspect the locals helped about 100 gamblers escape.

Suthee said his team planned the raid after receiving tips-off that Bon Taopoon had reopened despite a freeze on it by law enforcement authorities.

Seehanart Prayoonrat, secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, said that although his office had recommended for public prosecutors to move to confiscate the building that was used for Bon Taopoon, it could not force the closure of the building.

"For now, we can only prevent any transaction related to the building. It can't be sold or transferred. However, the building owner can still use the property until the court orders its expropriation," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-04-08

[Soupdragon]

Let me give you a hint guys. If you storm in the front, people run out the back.

They would do better laying siege. Come som tam time the gamblers would surrender.

[dcutman]

"Although we couldn't arrest any gamblers this time, we believe we have
sent our message across that we are seriously cracking down on
gambling," said Maj-General Suthee Nenkantee, commander of Metropolitan
Police Division 2.

"For now, we can only prevent any transaction related to the building.
It can't be sold or transferred. However, the building owner can still
use the property until the court orders its expropriation," he said.

Another dog and pony show. I bet it is re re-opened by the weekend.

Edited April 8, 2013 by dcutman

[A Member]

"Although we couldn't arrest any gamblers this time, we believe we have

sent our message across that we are seriously cracking down on

gambling," said Maj-General Suthee Nenkantee, commander of Metropolitan

Police Division 2.

"For now, we can only prevent any transaction related to the building.

It can't be sold or transferred. However, the building owner can still

use the property until the court orders its expropriation," he said.

Another dog and pony show. I bet it is re re-opened by the weekend.

I wonder is there was a warning " we are coming " phone call ?

[chainarong]

Public disorder of this nature is happiness for others , DSI will issue a statement later , after Songkran, the 200 commando's are regrouping and licking their wounds. Memo: Don't use this lot in a Coup.

[NongKhaiKid]

As an retired cop I have to say i would have been embarrassed to take part in a press conference like that and say things like " message sent " and " seriously cracking down ". I have no great respect for BIB and although they proved it's easy for them to botch things i have to wonder if there was more to it.

In the force I served in their would have been serious questions asked and repercussions for such a foul up but TIT.

[NongKhaiKid]

Public disorder of this nature is happiness for others , DSI will issue a statement later , after Songkran, the 200 commando's are regrouping and licking their wounds. Memo: Don't use this lot in a Coup.

Will DSI now investigate the Democrats over this ?

[dcutman]

"Although we couldn't arrest any gamblers this time, we believe we have

sent our message across that we are seriously cracking down on

gambling," said Maj-General Suthee Nenkantee, commander of Metropolitan

Police Division 2.

"For now, we can only prevent any transaction related to the building.

It can't be sold or transferred. However, the building owner can still

use the property until the court orders its expropriation," he said.

Another dog and pony show. I bet it is re re-opened by the weekend.

I wonder is there was a warning " we are coming " phone call ?

The local residents manned enough of a defense to stop 200 police commando's. How else could this possible? Apparently the police are totally powerless to arrest people that attack them with glass bottles and scolding hot water as well.

[Pimay1]

This comes to mind.

[Mosha]

I think it was more a case of message received.

[Ricardo]

Time to send in the top-secret blimp, to observe the casino, and then bomb it !

[Pimay1]

Time to send in the top-secret blimp, to observe the casino, and then bomb it !

It would have to be in a one story building as the top-secret blimp can only gain an altitude of sixty feet.

[Payboy]

It was still cool inside with the air-conditioners running but no punter was in sight.

Hope the temp was at 26 C.

[WhizBang]

The Thai people truely have the police force (and government) they deserve.

Amazing Thailand, indeed.

[siampolee]

It speaks volumes regarding the ;police force in Bangkok, 200 police commandos met with a fusillade of assorted domestic waste as missiles and they couldn't arrest anyone they couldn't even face up to the crowd, must have left their nappies and dummies at home I suppose ?

No snatch squads, no cameras available, no security surrounding the planning and briefing of personnel involved in this comedy turn ?

It smacks of corruption and let's be honest it's plain that the police are being paid off so as the influential casino owners can pay the local populace to form a militant domestic terrorist group that is intent on thwarting the implementation of the law such as it is here in Thailand.

Interesting to note the presence of a wanna be Bangkok Governor on the scene,It would seem he is incapable of running an efficient police force indeed we should be thankful he isn't in the governors seat

One would like to know what the dividend share out was like for both the local populace and of course the police too ?

Edited April 8, 2013 by siampolee

[apetley]

Commandos!.........lmfao.

Fat police in ill fitting flak jackets. What an embarrassment to the Kingdom

[rubl]

Trok Khao San Rd.? Isn't that in Khet Phra Nakhon?

[Pib]

The gamblers' defense was well organized which allowed the gamblers to escape; must have been some off duty police commanding the gamblers.

[Locationthailand]

All OP's have beaten me to it - Keystone cops and 200 commando's who could not fight their way out of a wet paper bag. Unbelievable. I wonder how much they got paid to fail?

[OzMick]

How many people were arrested for assaulting police? If not, why not?

Edited April 8, 2013 by OzMick

[FarangTalk]

Not arresting anyone is getting their message across?

What a farcical joke of an organisation.

[tomross46]

"Although we couldn't arrest any gamblers this time, we believe we have

sent our message across that we are seriously cracking down on

gambling," said Maj-General Suthee Nenkantee, commander of Metropolitan

Police Division 2.

"For now, we can only prevent any transaction related to the building.

It can't be sold or transferred. However, the building owner can still

use the property until the court orders its expropriation," he said.

Another dog and pony show. I bet it is re re-opened by the weekend.

The area residents knew in advance that the police would arrive at 1400 hours. That way they had time to plan.

[Pimay1]

I wonder what the qualifications are to be a police commando in this country? Evidently quite low..

[apetley]

I wonder what the qualifications are to be a police commando in this country? Evidently quite low..

Being absolutely spineless seems to be the overriding requirement.

[Payboy]

I wonder what the qualifications are to be a police commando in this country? Evidently quite low..

Being absolutely spineless seems to be the overriding requirement.

Makes it easier to get into the tight uniforms too.

[Pib]

I wonder what the qualifications are to be a police commando in this country? Evidently quite low..

High scores on video games maybe.

[FarangTalk]

I wonder what the qualifications are to be a police commando in this country? Evidently quite low..

Being absolutely spineless seems to be the overriding requirement.

You have to be a bully.

Their usual tactics do not require the normal attributes you would expect of a Police officer; there are little or no investigative or protective elements here. The majority of Thai police-work is done through harassment and bullying.

Edited April 8, 2013 by FarangTalk

[EyesWideOpen]

Tipped off.....

[A_Traveller]

Am I alone in suffering from Deja Vu? I seem to remember this happening before, but can't recall if it's the same "invisible" casino.

Anyone else have a better memory?

[seajae]

I wonder what the qualifications are to be a police commando in this country? Evidently quite low..

High scores on video games maybe.

nah, that would require reflexes, I doubt any of them even know what they are let alone have any.