chuang Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 A bridge too far.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo2014 Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Hub of retirement bliss!!! ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody1 Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Barry Kenyon, a former British Honorary Consul who received the MBE for his services to Britain, was among the 30 people and said he was held for 12 hours.Hahahaha, this has to be the funniest part of the whole fiasco! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfharrison Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 at the bottom it says "Almost all forms of gambling apart from the lottery and bets on some animal fighting is outlawed in Thailand, though underground betting is rampant." so gambling on animal fighting(some) is alright. good to know!! A bridge too far: Cops smash crime ring of, er, elderly card players By Coconuts Bangkok PATTAYA:-- A vow by Thailand's junta to rid the country of foreign criminals has netted an unlikely group of outlaws — elderly bridge players. Police and military volunteers raided a bridge club last night in Pattaya, a resort town renowned for its go-go bars and links with organised crime, arresting 32 foreigners, most of them British. "There were 32 people, all of them foreigners arrested for gambling on Wednesday night," Colonel Suthat Pumphanmuang, Pattaya police superintendent, said today, saying the raid was sparked by a member of the public complaining to the junta's anti-corruption centre. Almost all forms of gambling apart from the lottery and bets on some animal fighting is outlawed in Thailand, though underground betting is rampant. Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/04/bridge-too-far-cops-smash-crime-ring-er-elderly-card-players -- Coconuts Bangkok 2016-02-04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
never me Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Once again I'm lost for words about this B/S. If only I could say what I really think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beammeup Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I dont know weather to laugh or cry. Just ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenterry Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 at the bottom it says "Almost all forms of gambling apart from the lottery and bets on some animal fighting is outlawed in Thailand, though underground betting is rampant." so gambling on animal fighting(some) is alright. good to know!! A bridge too far: Cops smash crime ring of, er, elderly card players By Coconuts Bangkok PATTAYA:-- A vow by Thailand's junta to rid the country of foreign criminals has netted an unlikely group of outlaws — elderly bridge players. Police and military volunteers raided a bridge club last night in Pattaya, a resort town renowned for its go-go bars and links with organised crime, arresting 32 foreigners, most of them British. "There were 32 people, all of them foreigners arrested for gambling on Wednesday night," Colonel Suthat Pumphanmuang, Pattaya police superintendent, said today, saying the raid was sparked by a member of the public complaining to the junta's anti-corruption centre. Almost all forms of gambling apart from the lottery and bets on some animal fighting is outlawed in Thailand, though underground betting is rampant. Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/04/bridge-too-far-cops-smash-crime-ring-er-elderly-card-players -- Coconuts Bangkok 2016-02-04 Pity the card playing picture is a hand of Rummy, not Bridge. But there again why let a little misinformation spoil a good story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaywalker Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 For thai people it doesn't make any sense to play cards without money. For them cards is gambling, end of story. They can't learn something new? Nope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krataiboy Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 The story has gone viral and is in all the UK mass media. Should do wonders for Thailand's international image as one of the world's top retirement destinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairynuff Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Kill someone driving drunk and pay the family a few baht. Own 120 playing cards and go down for 3 years. All over the worlds media now. Not as a news item but as an "and finally" item used to report on something funny ridiculous or stupid. This is all of the above. When it comes to saving face the only place it's been saved is in their heads. To the rest of the world it's on the floor in 120 pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 50 old people who lead a peaceful life and spend lots of money..... None were wearing a vest and had tattoos I bet !! if it is against law....what is the problem? Eveb old peple have to follow law. You don't agree? It was not against the law , Bridge is a recognized sport in Thailand. No money were involved. The police did not do their home work . No, I doubt it. Another member even mention a special section....Matbe thet "stretched" the law, but I'm convinced the action is backed by law. Try reading all the reports. They, the district officials and army were tipped off about this farang gambling den and reported it to police who acted. Army and DO's went along too, There was no evidence of gambling, so they had to scour the law books and came up with the 120 card rule and the lack of Excise seals. However the esteemed President of the Thai Bridge League claims that these laws don't apply as Bridge is recognized as a non gambling sport. Looks like a tip off was wrong, so the usual effort to try and save face by finding anything to charge them with. Let's see if they get their bail money back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernphil Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 The posted video. who are the DOPA boys ? Could it be the Dept.Over Pensioners Actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabothai Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Name and shame the snitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawadee1947 Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 It was not against the law , Bridge is a recognized sport in Thailand. No money were involved. The police did not do their home work . No, I doubt it. Another member even mention a special section....Matbe thet "stretched" the law, but I'm convinced the action is backed by law. Try reading all the reports. They, the district officials and army were tipped off about this farang gambling den and reported it to police who acted. Army and DO's went along too, There was no evidence of gambling, so they had to scour the law books and came up with the 120 card rule and the lack of Excise seals. However the esteemed President of the Thai Bridge League claims that these laws don't apply as Bridge is recognized as a non gambling sport. Looks like a tip off was wrong, so the usual effort to try and save face by finding anything to charge them with. Let's see if they get their bail money back. yeah, at the moment there is more than confusion even. To come to the point: nobody knows exactly what and why happened. We will know within the next days. Hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balo Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 1000's of retired people all over the world who were looking for a nice, exotic country to retire to where they would spend millions of baht suddenly wiped Thailand off their list . Well done to the military in charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Unbelievable. Case Against Elderly Bridge Players Moves Forward By Sasiwan MokkhasenStaff ReporterPATTAYA — Thirty-two elderly, bridge-playing foreigners will face the music and must defend their innocence in court, Pattaya police said today. After a surprise crackdown in which seniors were arrested under an antiquated law made headlines worldwide Thursday, Police said the elderly Westerners are now free on 5,000 baht bonds. “The case will still have to follow the legal process,” said Col. Sukthat Pumpanmuang, commander of the Pattaya Police Station. Police did not find evidence of gambling when they raided Alto’s Restaurant and Bar on Wednesday and took the players into custody, but they seized computers on suspicion the players, 26 men and six women, might have been making electronic transfers of money. The senior citizens were held until the early hours of the morning before being released. The oldest of the suspects is 84. They will all be charged under a law nearly as old. More here - khaosodenglish -- Khaosod English February 5, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kblaze Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 the power of face is strong with these ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigermoth Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 All the (funny) comments on this thread aside, there must be more to this, a lot more, I imagine, as Thai Police are not that stupid and eager to waste their resources like they seem to have done here. To be continued... Are you serious? "The Thai police are not that stupid". Aside from that comment they seemed to have broken the law??? themselves. Fining without a conviction?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenterry Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 From the above article: Bridge was once a prohibited form of gambling under a 1935 law, but became permitted in 1960 so long as no money changed hands, according to Chodchoy Sophonpanich, president of the Contract Bridge League of Thailand. Banglamung District Chief Chakorn Kanjawattana, who provided the tip to police that led to the crackdown, insisted bridge is only legal if played in a private group at a private residence. He said it’s up to the court to decide whether the seniors, who were playing in a public place, aimed to gamble. No, it's up to the prosecution to provide evidence that the seniors aimed to gamble. Nothing I've seen or read indicates that. However, I'm willing to bet (no pun intended) that the RTP only have to say that the seniors intended to gamble by showing their 31 signed confessions, and the court will find them guilty. Bye bye bail money - that's been confiscated, plus a heavy fine on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven100 Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 This is obviously an international syndicate with a ringleader . The 74 yr old won't talk and she may be the ring leader. The bridge club may be a front for the high rollers involved, BIB await further interrogation and investigation. How much may have been turned over in a single night ? who knows !! tea money !! ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kblaze Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 The guy in the pics below is the District Chief of Banglamung (which encompasses Pattaya) - a real "big" guy, and he's the one the Khaosod article says gave the tip-off. Looks like people were trying to convince him.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 When does the job advertisment for District Chief get posted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Very surprised to see they're going ahead with the prosecution. More publicity in a few months time. I hope the elderly lady finally made bail. Their bail will be returned as long as they show up in court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toknarok Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 It wouldn't surprise me to see these dastardly bridge players convicted. After all in this Country you can get sent down for 15 years for picking mushrooms, and get fined hundreds of thousands of baht foe having a picture of an open alcohol bottle on a restaurant menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychic Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 From the above article: Bridge was once a prohibited form of gambling under a 1935 law, but became permitted in 1960 so long as no money changed hands, according to Chodchoy Sophonpanich, president of the Contract Bridge League of Thailand. Banglamung District Chief Chakorn Kanjawattana, who provided the tip to police that led to the crackdown, insisted bridge is only legal if played in a private group at a private residence. He said its up to the court to decide whether the seniors, who were playing in a public place, aimed to gamble. No, it's up to the prosecution to provide evidence that the seniors aimed to gamble. Nothing I've seen or read indicates that. However, I'm willing to bet (no pun intended) that the RTP only have to say that the seniors intended to gamble by showing their 31 signed confessions, and the court will find them guilty. Bye bye bail money - that's been confiscated, plus a heavy fine on top. Now that's a new level of stubborn. Told my the president of organized bridge in Thailand that its been legal for over 50 years he decides that on his watch the rules are completely different. Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 From the above article: Bridge was once a prohibited form of gambling under a 1935 law, but became permitted in 1960 so long as no money changed hands, according to Chodchoy Sophonpanich, president of the Contract Bridge League of Thailand. Banglamung District Chief Chakorn Kanjawattana, who provided the tip to police that led to the crackdown, insisted bridge is only legal if played in a private group at a private residence. He said it’s up to the court to decide whether the seniors, who were playing in a public place, aimed to gamble. No, it's up to the prosecution to provide evidence that the seniors aimed to gamble. Nothing I've seen or read indicates that. However, I'm willing to bet (no pun intended) that the RTP only have to say that the seniors intended to gamble by showing their 31 signed confessions, and the court will find them guilty. Bye bye bail money - that's been confiscated, plus a heavy fine on top. I think the papers the people were asked to sign were not confessions but acknowledgements they had been charged with..... In the same way that I believe if you do not sign a traffic ticket in the US you can be arrested for not doing so. It does not say you are guilty. the problem is it is all in Thai and we have all been told not to sign anything we cannot and have not read and understood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Unbelievable. Case Against Elderly Bridge Players Moves Forward By Sasiwan Mokkhasen Staff Reporter PATTAYA — Thirty-two elderly, bridge-playing foreigners will face the music and must defend their innocence in court, Pattaya police said today. After a surprise crackdown in which seniors were arrested under an antiquated law made headlines worldwide Thursday, Police said the elderly Westerners are now free on 5,000 baht bonds. “The case will still have to follow the legal process,” said Col. Sukthat Pumpanmuang, commander of the Pattaya Police Station. Police did not find evidence of gambling when they raided Alto’s Restaurant and Bar on Wednesday and took the players into custody, but they seized computers on suspicion the players, 26 men and six women, might have been making electronic transfers of money. The senior citizens were held until the early hours of the morning before being released. The oldest of the suspects is 84. They will all be charged under a law nearly as old. More here - khaosodenglish -- Khaosod English February 5, 2016 If convicted, the international 'blow-back' will be unreal. All in the name of 'saving face'. This is quickly going to become a Brer Rabbit vs the Tar-baby moment for Thailand. Guess it will just have to play out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arunsakda Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 don't know anything about Bridge. Can I ask a stupid question? Is Bridge ever even associated with gambling? I googled it and got links to very technical discussions of some kind of opening strategy only. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychic Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Now that I think about it, his claim of only being legal in private residences could be construed to cover the private clubs in Bangkok. He wants to go forward against some farangs in Pattaya but take out some insurance against involving some very serious people elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) "Banglamung District Chief Chakorn Kanjawattana, who provided the tip to police that led to the crackdown, insisted bridge is only legal if played in a private group at a private residence." So the event below held last December in Bangkok, and others like it played in public venues with corporate sponsors are illegal?http://www.thailandbridgeleague.com/asean/index.php?mode=information Edited February 5, 2016 by connda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts