9 Foreigners arrested at Illegal Casino in South Pattaya

[wotaplonker]

I think I'll postpone Friday night Texas Hold'em with the boys for a while, that's a bit close for comfort.

I've hidden the cribbage board and pegs already....................

I have had reason once to explain the rules of crib to a BiB, never, ever again................

i could just imagine that! it would be easier explaining quantuam theory, although i think

nothing beats trying to give directions on the phone to a thai girl you have met!

[ava15]

Almost every thai guy I know bets on the football every week (during english prem seasons) and does not hide it. Im talking openly filling in their bet slips / forms on the footpaths in the street.

There are numerous policemen around our office daily. The bookie just drives round on his bike and collects the slips out front.

[Sayonarax]

Absolute morons. Nice detective work arresting a couple of poker players having a private game of poker.

OMG did the bad farangs have bank accounts? Holy crap call the pope..

I called, he said not to disturb him unless they're playing strip poker. Then, he wants to see photo evidence before taking matters into his own hands.

He said "how old are the boys?"

[balo]

I play online poker from Thailand and I make sure no Thais will know about my habit.

As for these 'pro' players they can afford to take a trip to cambodia or Macau anytime to play live poker so I do not feel sorry for them.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[pistachios]

World Pro Poker Players arrested in Thai Illegal Gambling Den

PATTAYA: -- Despite strict rules against gambling in the nation of Thailand, Police were tipped off about a poker game involving serious pro players from around the globe playing in Jontien near Pattaya this week end.

The authorities were amazed to find that the players involved included top international players from the Poker world tournament scene, all playing around a traditional casino table in a 2 storey home.

Frank de Busscher, fresh from the vegas tables was among those arrested, living on Pattaya’s East side when in town, and only back in town for less than a month.. he is quoted as saying that he expects to be in the city court facing judges on Monday.

46 year old Brian Thomas, from Mesquite Nevada is another of the guests due to appear in court, as is 47 year old Monica Lee. They are all due to appear in court along with Matthew Greynom and Mark Needleman.

Full story: http://www.pattaya103.com/world-pro-poker-players-arrested-in-thai-illegal-gambling-den/

--Pattaya 103 FM 2013-07-29

This article is a complete fantasy. All of those players are probably complete amateurs or just part time pros. None have any tournaments results whatsoever, except two guys who play very low stakes local tournaments. If they were real pros, there would be much more than a few thousands euros on the table.

It was just a home game with stakes big enough to spice the action a little bit, but not more than that.

Edited July 29, 2013 by pistachios

[Payboy]

Absolute morons. Nice detective work arresting a couple of poker players having a private game of poker.

OMG did the bad farangs have bank accounts? Holy crap call the pope..

I called, he said not to disturb him unless they're playing strip poker. Then, he wants to see photo evidence before taking matters into his own hands.

He said "how old are the boys?"

There's a new sheriff in town, haven't you heard?

[Equalizer]

To me, any country who has a national lottery and aslo tries to say gamling is illegal in the country are hippos. Especially a country who has by far the worst lottery pay out per income generated anywhere on earth. Thailand let me educate you whilst the world continues to laugh at you.

[hawker9000]

To me, any country who has a national lottery and aslo tries to say gamling is illegal in the country are hippos. Especially a country who has by far the worst lottery pay out per income generated anywhere on earth. Thailand let me educate you whilst the world continues to laugh at you.

What's illegal is what the government involved doesn't have a (big) piece of. Governments & officials make money from lotteries & casinos. Not so much from private Friday-night games with the boys...

[Ohio]

Do the Crime do the Time

It is illegal in Thailand , so don't do it.

Simple Logic isn't it . If it is disallowed by Law do it where it is allowed by Law.

This applies everywhere even Nevada . Rules are Rules - Fools are Fools

[chooka]

To me, any country who has a national lottery and aslo tries to say gamling is illegal in the country are hippos. Especially a country who has by far the worst lottery pay out per income generated anywhere on earth. Thailand let me educate you whilst the world continues to laugh at you.

You forgot the horse racing / gambling which is totally legal also.

[Briggsy]

I don’t understand the gambling phobia here. Not that this was anything like a casino but there are legitimate casinos all over the world, what’s the big deal? Seems to me Pattaya would be the perfect place for that type of business and the money they generate is absolutely staggering!

You already understand that gambling generates big incomes.

Now, you need to understand that every police station and every local political entity takes protection money from underground lotteries, illegal casinos and all manner of illegal gambling operations in undeclared, untaxable cash.

Now finally understand there must be no maverick operations that are not directly paying the police and local politicians in cash.

[Beetlejuice]

Just some friends playing poker me thinks. The amazing journalistic work changes a friendly game HEY EVERYONE LOOK AT HOW AMAZING WE ARE! "ILLEGAL FARANG CASINO BUSTED!" They had starving naked Cambodians tied to the table. Come on seriously? Thai people do this everywhere. Police do it. Get a life and go after the pedo's in Pattaya.

Yep we all do it. But the BIB are exempt from prosecution. As is anyone else with a uniform or politicians. Farangs are open game. Pardon the pun.

Total rubbish.

We all do it you say, and you`re speaking on behalf of who?

We don`t all break the laws in Thailand.

When people stay or live in a country, than they must respect the laws of that country, whether they agree with them or not.

The farangs involved with running this racket are in it as an earner. They have no respect for the country or it`s laws. Hopefully they will receive the highest penalties, then deported and permanently blacklisted.

Just a bunch of scum in my opinion.

[KittenKong]

I dont understand the gambling phobia here. Not that this was anything like a casino but there are legitimate casinos all over the world, whats the big deal? Seems to me Pattaya would be the perfect place for that type of business and the money they generate is absolutely staggering!

Asians seem to be especially sensitive to gambling fever. Thailand isnt the only Asian country to ban some sorts of gambling as anyone who ever witnessed the hordes of Hong Kong Chinese trying to get on a boat to Macao at the weekend will know.

Even parts of the US and Europe ban some sorts of gambling.

Of course the types of gambling that can be easily controlled like state-run lotteries or on-track horse-racing are often permitted, and in that respect Thailand is no exception.

[poooket]

Just some friends playing poker me thinks. The amazing journalistic work changes a friendly game HEY EVERYONE LOOK AT HOW AMAZING WE ARE! "ILLEGAL FARANG CASINO BUSTED!" They had starving naked Cambodians tied to the table. Come on seriously? Thai people do this everywhere. Police do it. Get a life and go after the pedo's in Pattaya.

Yep we all do it. But the BIB are exempt from prosecution. As is anyone else with a uniform or politicians. Farangs are open game. Pardon the pun.

Total rubbish.

We all do it you say, and you`re speaking on behalf of who?

We don`t all break the laws in Thailand.

When people stay or live in a country, than they must respect the laws of that country, whether they agree with them or not.

The farangs involved with running this racket are in it as an earner. They have no respect for the country or it`s laws. Hopefully they will receive the highest penalties, then deported and permanently blacklisted.

Just a bunch of scum in my opinion.

A bit harsh to call them scum and wish them "the highest penalties, then deported and permanently blacklisted."

Think its more like a couple of guys that got together for a home game than someone running a casino.

Do u wish the same penalties for people breaking the law by driving without a helmet?

[Beetlejuice]

Just some friends playing poker me thinks. The amazing journalistic work changes a friendly game HEY EVERYONE LOOK AT HOW AMAZING WE ARE! "ILLEGAL FARANG CASINO BUSTED!" They had starving naked Cambodians tied to the table. Come on seriously? Thai people do this everywhere. Police do it. Get a life and go after the pedo's in Pattaya.

Yep we all do it. But the BIB are exempt from prosecution. As is anyone else with a uniform or politicians. Farangs are open game. Pardon the pun.

Total rubbish.

We all do it you say, and you`re speaking on behalf of who?

We don`t all break the laws in Thailand.

When people stay or live in a country, than they must respect the laws of that country, whether they agree with them or not.

The farangs involved with running this racket are in it as an earner. They have no respect for the country or it`s laws. Hopefully they will receive the highest penalties, then deported and permanently blacklisted.

Just a bunch of scum in my opinion.

A bit harsh to call them scum and wish them "the highest penalties, then deported and permanently blacklisted."

Think its more like a couple of guys that got together for a home game than someone running a casino.

Do u wish the same penalties for people breaking the law by driving without a helmet?

I suggest that you read the articles again.

The police have stated that these poker games involved professional players and was described as an illegal casino, not as a couple of guys getting together for a friendly card game at home.

I have no doubts that the organizers are making an earner out of this and my comments made earlier still stand.

[poooket]

Just find it hard to believe this article is accurate.
"Top international poker players from the poker world tournament scene"
"Fresh from the Vegas tables"
"We'll know in the poker scene around the world with consistent high stakes and winnings" If those statements were True I can't see why they would be even remotely interested to play in an illegal casino in Pattaya with only $5000 on the table. Iam also curious about the 72pages bank book.

Edited July 31, 2013 by Rimmer
messed up quotes

[ALFREDO]

In nearly every village here in Isaan, at least around my Amphur in Udon Thani Games of Dice, High Low and Cards, Bog Deng, and others are played!
Police where are you? I can tell you, they IN the Game! lol 55555

[yougivemebaby]

I suggest that you read the articles again.

The police have stated that these poker games involved professional players and was described as an illegal casino, not as a couple of guys getting together for a friendly card game at home.

I have no doubts that the organizers are making an earner out of this and my comments made earlier still stand.

Even if what they say is true (and who really believes the police or media? ) that there were professional players. Don't you think that about $3000 is chump change for a professional? Professionals play for millions of dollars. Professionals probably like to get with their friends and play sometimes too. Yes it is illegal but it's just way overboard again. The police like to show too much power against the evil farang. They make such a big deal about it so all the bad $hit Thai's do to farang balances out. (violent rip off taxis and tuk tuks, scamming ladies robberies, murders (I mean suicides), ). It's just a dog and pony show for them to point their finger.

[hawker9000]

Am far too risk averse to do anything more than a few hands of blackjack or a few uarters in the slots in Vegas. 'Don't even buy lottery tickets. Ever. But if I ever do decide to pick up the gambling habit, it won't be in LOS...

[ALFREDO]

Am far too risk averse to do anything more than a few hands of blackjack or a few uarters in the slots in Vegas. 'Don't even buy lottery tickets. Ever. But if I ever do decide to pick up the gambling habit, it won't be in LOS...

Why?

You only have to choose the right Game, one what is played here.

My GF is addicted to that Dice Game of High Low and lost around a Million Baht in 4 years, by her own estimates!

Still a lot borrowed around!

There is a whole Mafia of loan sharks and private people living on that Games, pawn and Gold shops to!

I was once in Udon Thani city at the Police headquarter for the Province to complain and was turned away,

I was told, I should complain at the local Amphur Police station!

Lough able, as this station shares the Protection money of all the Games played and some play themselves !

TIT, This is Thailand !

Edited July 31, 2013 by ALFREDO

[Tomtomtom69]

Why don't they just legalize gambling in Thailand and end all this bulls**t. Seriously, I don't get what the Thai authorities are trying to prove with this. I can imagine the foreigners going "What? Busted for gambling?" There are seriously far greater problems in Thailand including prostitution, drug trafficking and the illegal smuggling of wildlife. Making gambling legal might actually reduce the problems the current ban is having.

[KittenKong]

Why don't they just legalize gambling in Thailand and end all this bulls**t.

Because if they did then many Thais would spend their entire lives gambling, losing, running up colossal debts and probably turning to crime to pay them back.

Many Asians find gambling totally irresistible. So do many non-Asians for that matter.

[EyesWideOpen]

Why don't they just legalize gambling in Thailand and end all this bulls**t.

Because if they did then many Thais would spend their entire lives gambling, losing, running up colossal debts and probably turning to crime to pay them back.

Many Asians find gambling totally irresistible. So do many non-Asians for that matter.

Correct. King Rama V decided that after his trip to Europe, gambling would be a bad idea for Thailand. Which is why to this day there is no gambling here... On a side note, most of the underground gambling here is against the house, where of course you always lose. Poker is a game of skill with each player battling the other players. Guess the house must have taken a rake off of each pot, same as card clubs in America do...