Police net 14 in Muay Thai TV betting party at Thalang house
Eakkapop Thongtub

Police net 14 in Muay Thai TV betting party at Thalang house

PHUKET: Police today issued citations to 14 men for 'gambling without permission' after they were rounded up at a remote Thalang residence during a live Muay Thai broadcast.

Police said they were tipped off by an informant in the neighborhood.

When police arrrived to house number 41/7 in the Moo 1 community of Thalang's Pakklok sub district at about 3.30pm, a group of men were cheerfully engaged in a live Muay Thai fight broadcast on Thai channel 7 via a 21-inch Panasonic television set.

Convinced that the men were indeed betting on the winners in pairs amongst themselves, police identified themselves and proceded to escort the suspects to Thalang Police station.

Police seized the television set as evidence, along with B1,140 in cash.

The Phuket News understands that this cash was seized because it was out in the open but police did not seize any additional cash that may have been concealed on each of the suspects.

Cash is usually not brought out onto the table until a fight has concluded.

The owner of the house was identified as 42-year-old Mr Ekkachai Darapun and was the first to be issued a citation at the police station after admitting to the charge of gambling without permission.

The other 13 men ranged in age from 31 to 57 years old.

Betting on Muay Thai fights, live and remotely, is a popular pastime among middle-aged men throughout the kingdom; however, gambling and other "games of chance" of all types, without official permission, is strictly prohibited by the provisions of the Gambling Control Act of 1935, and subsequent ammendments.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/police-net-14-in-muay-thai-tv-betting-party-at-thalang-house-52648.php

-- Phuket News 2015-06-06

LOL. Gambling without permission. The BIBS did not get their share, did they?

B1,140 in cash. (Yes, I read the full story)

That's some bust. well done, RTP.

B1,140 in cash. (Yes, I read the full story)

That's some bust. well done, RTP.

14 police to arrest 14 men for 82 baht each. Just enough for a lottery ticket with a 2 baht tip.

The joke gotta be seizing the television as evidence. How about seizing the house too? Makes just as much sense.

How many real crimes were being committed during this misdemeanour?prostitution illegal but it's everywhere as we all know,hypocrisy at an embarrassing level.

This is a good bust.

It should get the arrest statistics up for the week.

I bet (oops, better not use THAT word here) would guess the homeowner has a real good idea who the "informant" was and that we'll be reading about the retribution soon.

The joke gotta be seizing the television as evidence. How about seizing the house too? Makes just as much sense.

But Your Honour,

I swear the fight was on the TV when we confiscated it. I have no idea where it is now!

on there way to the house they passed a dozen small children selling goodies to amused tourists ...they are an absolute joke the bib..

Such horrendous crimes against humanity , they all should be sent into exile.

Seriously? The thai police force are looking like real jokers day by day!