Mass arrests after PM orders crackdown on illegal betting at Bangkok races

 

Picture: Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- Nearly two dozen people were arrested at the Bangkok horse races on Sunday in a major crackdown on illegal tote betting.

 

Orders for a clean-up on illegal activities at both Nang Lerng and the RBCS tracks had come from PM Prayut Chan-ocha and deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan.

 

On Sunday a 150 officer police task force led by 191 chief Surachet Hakpan raided the races at Nang Lerng in Dusit district of Bangkok.

 

Twenty two people - 18 men and four women - were arrested. Three of these admitted taking illegal bets.

 

All were prosecuted for ripping off the state by taking illegal totalizator bets.

 

Government tote betting at the racetracks is a big earner for the state and is one of few legal ways to bet in Thailand. But for years it has been known that people who set up in the crowds of race-goers offer advantageous odds above those announced by the official state totalizator.

 

Daily News reported that illegal operators were skimming tens of millions of baht in revenue from the state.

 

It was reported that following the arrests Sunday the tote pool for the races increased from an average of 38 million baht to 42 million as punters were forced to bet at the state windows on the track.

 

Races in Bangkok alternate on Sundays between Nang Lerng and the RBSC in Henri Dunant Road in Pathumwan district.

 

Source: Daily News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-01-10

But it's my livelihood...

 

How am I to support my family now? Work?

 

I'll BET that pretty soon they will all be back to doing what they were doing

or they'll go underground and do it from there, the government will have the same

luck stropping those bookies and the illegal lotteries....

 

Mass arrests,22 people,but took 150 police to arrest them.

regards worgeordie

 

They're just polishing their skills at the racetrack......it's a similar shape to Wat Dhammakaya!

20 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Mass arrests,22 people,but took 150 police to arrest them.

regards worgeordie

 

 

It didn't take 150 police officers to arrest 22 bookies, there just happened to be 150 officers there in case they were needed.  But you knew that.

So to summarize.. Gambling is illegal because its sinful, so only the Government can do it.. But other sinful people set up offering better odds than the government, so they have decided to clamp down on such rampant criminality ?? 

 

It would seem then, its not the gambling that's a crime, only offering better odds than the government. 

11 minutes ago, gdgbb said:

 

It didn't take 150 police officers to arrest 22 bookies, there just happened to be 150 officers there in case they were needed.  But you knew that.

And shes off

A free day out at the races for 150 police. I hope it included refreshments in the members bar. The hot 1:3 favourite for the day was "Greedy Government", an 11 YO gelding by "Could do Better " out of "Usual Incompetence" and was ridden by Lester Somchai.

 

What's wrong with betting? What's wrong with betting at a race course? That's the purpose of horse racing-to have a bet! 

2 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Mass arrests,22 people,but took 150 police to arrest them.

regards worgeordie

 

This was clearly a field trip for the new exam takers. Part of the practical section of the test. Part of the training in how to extort and manage vast sums of money in their upcoming career.

Thou shall not rip off the State

Can the PM announce something about the Red Bull guy who ran over a cop then got sick in Singapore and then nothing TIT

5 hours ago, webfact said:

All were prosecuted for ripping off the state by taking illegal totalizator bets.

Is that the actual charge?

4 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

So to summarize.. Gambling is illegal because its sinful, so only the Government can do it.. B

That is not the reason King Chulalongkorn banned gambling in the Kingdom.... Check your "facts"

5 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Daily News reported that illegal operators were skimming tens of millions of baht in revenue from the state

Not enough for the death penalty then.... Small fish are sweet when fried!!!

Many a day have I enjoyed the racing from this position.

 

They will never stop betting at the RBSC, there are just too many people there in charge of the country.

Only reason to go to the race....watch the

horse you bet on win......!

 

 

 

 

 

 

27 minutes ago, TheLairdofCockPen said:

Many a day have I enjoyed the racing from this position.

 

They will never stop betting at the RBSC, there are just too many people there in charge of the country.

They have no intention of stopping betting at the RBSC. The clue to why they raided the course is in this sentence.

 

" Nearly two dozen people were arrested at the Bangkok horse races on Sunday in a major crackdown on illegal tote betting."

 

 

4 hours ago, Brer Fox said:

A free day out at the races for 150 police. I hope it included refreshments in the members bar. The hot 1:3 favourite for the day was "Greedy Government", an 11 YO gelding by "Could do Better " out of "Usual Incompetence" and was ridden by Lester Somchai.

 

 

Hope they got their bets on before they arrested them. That is called a win/win situation for the police. Money back guarantee from the bookies.