Four Phuket taxi drivers arrested for gambling
Eakkapop Thongtub


The four taxi drivers arrested for gambling.

PHUKET: -- Four taxi drivers were arrested for gambling yesterday (July 16) in part an anti-firearm and crime campaign aimed at suspicious groups in the Patong area being held by Kathu police from July 15-19.

The four were arrested while playing an illegal card game in front of the Avista Hideaway Resort and Spa at Tritrang Beach.

At 5:30pm, police approached the taxi rank positioned outside of the Avista Hideaway Resort and Spa on Muen Ngoen Rd looking for drugs, guns and other illegal activities.

When they reached the taxi stand police found the four drivers playing cards. The four attempted to flee but police managed to apprehended them.

The four were later named as Weera Sawarach, Nared Boonnark, Jamras Toerong and Ms Ornnapat Kongbenjawat. Police seized from them one set of cards and B170 in cash.

All were taken to Kathu police and charged with illegal gambling.

Earlier in the day, police also searched a taxi hut on Raspatanusorn Rd which is alleged to belong to a Thanat Tumklin. They were searching for illegal firearms on a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court, however, they found nothing illegal.

A search was also carried out at a taxi station located across the road from Patong Municipality where two men were question but no further action was taken.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/four-phuket-taxi-drivers-arrested-for-gambling-53237.php


-- Phuket News 2015-07-17

Wow, this must have been such an active dangerous activity, even the rats fled the scene. Please police there are better things to focus on crime wise, ok?

Quick quick Lt Col Orifice, you are being chased by the Queen of clubs? 555

Is having a pack of cards in Thailand illegal? Can't you use toothpicks instead of money - then "just a game" ?

Why would this make the news??

They need 7 officers to arrest 4 guys playing cards while murderer and rapist run free. Tzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"an anti-firearm and crime campaign"

Did they check the guys tuk tuks for firearms, or were they happy to just nab them for their high stakes rummy game?

"an anti-firearm and crime campaign"

Did they check the guys tuk tuks for firearms, or were they happy to just nab them for their high stakes rummy game?

They were happy with B170 cash.

2 more days for the rummy raiders in Patong.....

Is having a pack of cards in Thailand illegal? Can't you use toothpicks instead of money - then "just a game" ?

It's legal as long as you're not gambling. Any shop selling cards must have a special permit to do so.

Have to wonder why people don't just play with tokens and keep the money out of sight. Only takes a really tiny little bit of planning.

But hang on - 170 baht??? I'm guessing cards = arrested and any money found whatsoever is filed as evidence.