Thai Police chief denies Tao Poon casino back in business

[webfact]

Police chief denies Tao Poon casino back in business



BANGKOK: -- Royal Thai Police commissioner yesterday strongly dismissed allegations that the influential gambling den in Tao Poon has quietly reopened after it was permitted by some top police and military officers.

The commissioner, Pol Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, was reacted to a complaint filed with the Royal Thai Police by a Special Branch Division police superintendent that the casino which was raided and closed by police and soldiers has resumed operation upon permission by some top officers, and rumour of bribes were paid.

The police commissioner ordered the police to inspect the casino with army officers yesterday but found it remained closed.

Pol Gen Somyos rejected the claim of reopening and also rumours that bribes were taken.

He said he has received reports from the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau that the metropolitan police have coordinated with military personnel and made a check on the casino in question after rumours circulated that it had reopened.

“What they found was that the establishment has not resumed gambling activities. This is further substantiated by the fact that the entire premises as well as it furnishings were covered in layers of dust which indicates that it has not been used for some time. I must reiterate that authorities have made a complete check and found nothing out of the ordinary,” Pol Gen Somyos said.

He further insisted, “As for allegations that I am in some way involved in the matter I can only say that personally I cannot possibly control rumors and suspicions. What I can do is to publicly state that I have no knowledge and am not in any way involved in this matter. I, Pol Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, have never, ever received any bribes!”

The matter came to light because of suspicions being raised yesterday by the superintendent of the Police Special Branch Division when he handed in a report to the commissioner of the Royal Thai police for action to be taken on the Tao Poon casino which has violated National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) directives and had resumed gambling activities.

The report also claimed that high ranking police and Army officers were involved in giving permission for the Tao Poon casino to continue to operate in the beginning of February.

Furthermore, it revealed that 11 Baccarat tables had been set up to cater to hundreds of gamblers with daily turn-around in the hundreds of millions of baht.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-chief-denies-tao-poon-casino-back-in-business


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-26

[TheDiva]

No, couldn't possibly happen. A totally independent group of police and army personnel (in no way being concerned with such business or acting on orders of those that also aren't involved in the allegations) have been to the casino and verified it's not back in business, so, nothing to see here.

Edited February 26, 2015 by TheDiva

[barry51]

Is this the police officer with a 350 million baht share holding in a newspaper on a policeman's salary?

I think I'll believe the special branch officer as he is going to look stupid if he is lying and I assume he has good evidence before making allegations against the top police officer.

Edited February 26, 2015 by barry51

[sweatalot]

Is this the same police chief who insisted the prime suspects in the infamous Koh Tao murder case must be innocent?

Edited February 26, 2015 by sweatalot

[clockman]

A society built on a tissue of lies! Think they need all to be polygaphed!

[iReason]

"I, Pol Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang, have never, ever received any bribes!”

I would like to see this <deleted> say that while charged in court.

This guy really rubs my rhubarb.

New gang. Same as the old gang.

I would certainly like to see follow-up stories on this public servant's involvement.

Edited February 26, 2015 by iReason

[klauskunkel]

it revealed that 11 Baccarat tables had been set up to cater to hundreds of gamblers with daily turn-around in the hundreds of millions of baht.

these are not 20 baht tables...

[Prbkk]

Very smart to keep a few buckets of dust at the ready...

[halloween]

There is an old-fashioned way to put a gambling den out of business. You drag all the gambling equipment outside, smash it to kindling, and publicly burn it.

That method has much more credibility than claiming it needs a dust off.

[scorecard]

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

Is this the police officer with a 350 million baht share holding in a newspaper on a policeman's salary?

I think I'll believe the special branch officer as he is going to look stupid if he is lying and I assume he has good evidence before making allegations against the top police officer.

36 posts, your intent is obvious. Try harder and please don't deliberately not include the already well broadcast details of where his money came from.

I say again, your less than inclusive balanced comment and intent is obvious.

Somehow the current gang here remind me of the numerous deliberate untruths and twists and spins sprouted with fire and brimstone and numerous times on the red rally stages.

[maidee]

too good business for hiso living, mansions, cars, mia nois

off course they keep it closed (for general knowledge)

[arthurboy]

This report assumes it's the same location. The casino could be - conveniently - in some other place.

[sweatalot]

Is this the same police chief who insisted the prime suspects in the infamous Koh Tao murder case must be innocent?

...

and refused to start proper investigation

[bkkgooner]

I would bet my life on it operating on a different floor of the same apartment block, that place is well protected by locals and the bloke who owns it is like the local Don, I don't believe for a second that it is closed down.

[tomacht8]

Why they do not solve this problem easily.

Carry all gambling furnishings, which covered in layers of dust, to the aircraft carrier with no aircraft HTMS Chakri Naruebet.

Put some little plush on it, and pull the boat in neutral waters.

Legalize gambling on that ship.

All players must show their IDs and declare the amount of gambling money they carry.

The data will send also for documentation to the tax department in order to avoid misuse for money laundering.

That would be a multiple win win situation.

- Players could legally play and no longer need to go to Macau or Cambodia.

- The profit from the casino would not go into dark pockets, instead the state could finance some renovations of hospitals and schools.

- The army budget would be relieved from the maintenance costs for the vessel.

- The TAT would have a new rich target group: gamblers, and could gain market shares from Macau´s and Cambodia´s gambler market.

- The transportation cost to the gambling vessel should be the same for all;

Thais, Residents, tourist, foreigners, non residents, all have to pay 5.000 Baht admission.
With helicopter service: 10.000 Baht, the ice on the cake for VIP´s.

I guess a legal casino can easily bring in Bt500 million for the society.

Edited February 26, 2015 by tomacht8

[jonstarjon]

Its never really stopped

[iReason]

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

Is this the police officer with a 350 million baht share holding in a newspaper on a policeman's salary?

I think I'll believe the special branch officer as he is going to look stupid if he is lying and I assume he has good evidence before making allegations against the top police officer.

36 posts, your intent is obvious. Try harder and please don't deliberately not include the already well broadcast details of where his money came from.

I say again, your less than inclusive balanced comment and intent is obvious.

Somehow the current gang here remind me of the numerous deliberate untruths and twists and spins sprouted with fire and brimstone and numerous times on the red rally stages.

"the already well broadcast details of where his money came from."

I must have missed that.

Can you provide some links please?

[iReason]

Is this the same police chief who insisted the prime suspects in the infamous Koh Tao murder case must be innocent?

...

and refused to start proper investigation

More like, stopped a proper investigation.

After removing Eighth Region Police Command commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Panya Mamen.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/one-tourist-murder-suspect-now-arrested-another-run

[tomacht8]

..... The report also claimed that high ranking police and Army officers were involved in giving permission for the Tao Poon casino to continue to operate in the beginning of February.....

Furthermore, it revealed that 11 Baccarat tables had been set up to cater to hundreds of gamblers with daily turn-around in the hundreds of millions of baht.

Big business, but in Thailand illegal.

100 and more players - invisible?

That's a little bit like the 500 missing super cars in the customs department.

Maybe there are exists two identical casinos.
One for the raids with dust, and the other for play.
On the same level with David Copperfield and Harry Houdini.

Who is involved then?

Edited February 27, 2015 by tomacht8

[Strangebrew]

55555 fooled army again not useing old place got new place cheaper rent behind police station better protection and chief can get bribe easy now.