MYANMAR
Myanmar court jails five Thais for gambling in Tachilek
Natthawat Laping
The Nation

Myanmar authorities on Monday jailed 16 people - including five Thai men - for their involvement in illegal gambling in a hotel in Tachilek province - just across from Mai Sai in the Thai far north - and continued to hunt for three suspects who jumped bail.

The 16 were transported amid tight security to Keng Tung Prison, about 150km from the border with Chiang Rai.

The Tachilek Provincial Court sentenced the casino owner to 21 months jail, and nine casino employees to 12 months and nine customers, including six Thais, to six months in custody.

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia.

Details about the case emerged in early February when Myanmar authorities raided the unauthorised casino on the hotel's second floor and arrested 19 people and seized gambling equipment and Bt1.9 million in cash and about 140,000 kyat.

-- The Nation 2014-04-14

When will these Buddhists ever learn?

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia

Thais connected to influential figures going to prison. Good!

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia

Thais connected to influential figures going to prison. Good!

Unfortunately you''ll note that it wasn't a Thai prison or Thai judiciary involved.

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia

Thais connected to influential figures going to prison. Good!

Unfortunately you''ll note that it wasn't a Thai prison or Thai judiciary involved.

Sad but true. But still good.

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia

Thais connected to influential figures going to prison. Good!

Unfortunately you''ll note that it wasn't a Thai prison or Thai judiciary involved.

Sad but true. But still good.

Kengtung Prison.. thats a grim place

Must have paid their way out by now .. why didn't they gamble in the Tackelik or Golden Triangle Casino? sounds well dodgy to me

what a happy story, im going to bed now

Buddah says ??????

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures.

Connected to influential Thai figures, does that mean they will escape the Myanmar justice ?

Myanmar, please do not go in the same traps as Thailand have gone in all the time. If you, Myanmar wish to bee a third, or fourth world country. Mai pen rai.

Six months for gambling as a customer, is an absurd sentence.

People cheering for that is pitiful.

It seems that the Burmese have priorities all whacked out busting some folks for gambling while the country has been a world leader with pervasive drugs and human trafficking for decades and decades.

It would be interesting to note why the connection with "influential Thais" was newsworthy or noteworthy?

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures.

I am gyessing those Thais are about to find out the limits of their influence.

MYANMAR

Myanmar court jails five Thais for gambling in Tachilek

Natthawat Laping

The Nation

Myanmar authorities on Monday jailed 16 people - including five Thai men - for their involvement in illegal gambling in a hotel in Tachilek province - just across from Mai Sai in the Thai far north - and continued to hunt for three suspects who jumped bail.

The 16 were transported amid tight security to Keng Tung Prison, about 150km from the border with Chiang Rai.

The Tachilek Provincial Court sentenced the casino owner to 21 months jail, and nine casino employees to 12 months and nine customers, including six Thais, to six months in custody.

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia.

Details about the case emerged in early February when Myanmar authorities raided the unauthorised casino on the hotel's second floor and arrested 19 people and seized gambling equipment and Bt1.9 million in cash and about 140,000 kyat.

-- The Nation 2014-04-14

Is it just me who thinks this is absurd? Crossing the border from Mae Sai you can hardly fail to notice the huge casino sitting up on the hill. Are the Burmese authorities going to raid that?

Sent from my IS11T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Clearly this is the case of the government not getting their cut, because the casino was not registered and official. The stiff sentences for customers intended to let others know, going to the state run casinos is the far safer choice.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The Thais are reportedly from Bangkok and connected to influential Thai figures. Two locals and a Thai were reportedly on the run after each posted Bt160,000 in cash as bail. The Thai was sentenced in absentia

Thais connected to influential figures going to prison. Good!

The seventh Thai on the run is believed to be in Dubai

Six months for gambling as a customer, is an absurd sentence.

People cheering for that is pitiful.

Did the 'illegal' part stump you...?

happens all the time in burma... thais getting arrested for gambling... they end up in jail for a couple of days and pay their way out... everybody happy

Hypocrits! Never seen so much gambling as here. It being Illegal makes no difference ! It's just another way of keeping them down. Better legalize things like gambling and other minor issues like mariuana, porn and what not. They are here, were here and will Always be here.Police can't stop it.Politics can't stop it.

The more they try themore foolish it makes them look.

Like fighting the wind and claiming your on the winning side.

When will they learn that they need to share with local authorities if you want to survive.