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What started as arguments over blocked driveways and piles of rubbish in East Pattaya ended up exposing something much bigger – a hidden poker operation involving nine foreign nationals.
From Parking Disputes to Police Raid
Residents in Nong Prue Subdistrict had grown increasingly frustrated with foreign cars crammed along narrow streets and garbage piling up near a particular house. After weeks of complaints, immigration officers and tourist police finally decided to take a closer look.
On 26 August, they raided a single-storey property with a swimming pool. The scene inside was far from ordinary. Several people tried to make a run for it but didn’t get far. Once police secured the building, they found poker tables, cards, stacks of cash, chips worth about one million baht, and even money-counting machines – the telltale signs of a well-organised gambling setup.
Nine Foreigners in Custody
In total, nine individuals were arrested. Three men – Tang, a 35-year-old from China, and two Korean nationals, Lee (35) and Kim (31) – admitted to running the games. They now face charges of organizing illegal gambling, while Tang is also accused of overstaying his visa.
The other six suspects, five men and one woman, were charged with participating in the poker sessions. All were handed over to Nong Prue police for further action.
A Clash Between Law and Reform
This raid comes at a time when Thailand is still debating how to handle poker. Lawmakers have floated the idea of recognizing it as a competitive sport, but for now, the law remains strict. Outside of state lotteries and horse racing, gambling in all forms is banned, and police continue to act swiftly against underground casinos.
For locals, the case is a reminder that even small neighborhood disputes can pull back the curtain on much larger problems. For the suspects, it’s another example of how Thailand’s gambling laws leave little room for leniency.
Source: gamblinginsider.com
