CHONBURI — 14 May 2026, Police and administrative officers in Chonburi province arrested 16 Chinese nationals during a late-night raid on an illegal poker den operating inside a luxury house in Bang Lamung district, authorities said on Thursday.
At 23:46 on Wednesday, a coordinated task force led by Naphatphong Khositsuriyamanee (Chonburi Immigration Superintendent), Nattapol Pongsooksakul (Nong Prue Police Chief), and Prabda Suksoontree (Inspector General of Tourist Police Sub-Station 4, Subdivision 2, Tourist Police Division 1). Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, and Bang Lamung Administrative Office descended upon a residence located at 243/15 Soi Mab Yai Lia 24, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi.
Authorities said they detained 16 suspected gamblers and seized around 100,000 baht in cash, gambling chips worth several million-baht, three poker tables and a large quantity of playing cards and gambling equipment.
Police said the operation followed complaints from local residents who reported unusually large numbers of Chinese tourists entering the property. Residents also raised concerns because a previous incident involving Chinese nationals allegedly hiding C4 explosives in the area had heightened fears of potential criminal activity. Investigators monitored the house and confirmed that groups of Chinese nationals were regularly entering and leaving the property before planning the raid.
Because the house was equipped with surveillance cameras around the perimeter, officers carefully coordinated the raid to catch the group by surprise shortly before midnight. During the storming of the property, three suspects attempted to escape by jumping from a second-floor window but were injured after hitting the ground. Rescue workers were called to provide first aid while officers sealed off the premises.
Inside, officers found a group of 13 Chinese gamblers, both male and female, in a state of panic along with evidence of gambling activities, food and drinks prepared for players. Once the situation was brought under control, all 16 suspects, 13 men and three women, were taken into custody for questioning. Moreover, authorities also seized three poker tables, numerous decks of cards, and an amount of cash. Officials are currently checking on their immigration records before being handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
