BANGKOK — In a major gambling crackdown, Bangkok Metropolitan Police raided an illegal poker operation in the Ramkhamhaeng area on Tuesday night, arresting 52 individuals from 10 different countries.
While poker is considered merely a game in many countries worldwide, it remains classified as illegal gambling in Thailand, subject to periodic law enforcement operations. The latest raid occurred on March 4 when police, acting on a tip from an informant, targeted a warehouse in Soi Pho Kaew 3, intersection 19, Khlong Chan subdistrict, Bang Kapi district, Bangkok.
Officers conducted surveillance around 9 PM, discovering dozens of people engaged in poker games. After confirming real money was being wagered, police identified themselves and arrested all 52 participants, including both Thai nationals and foreigners. The international players represented 10 different countries: Vietnam, Israel, Belarus, Pakistan, Denmark, India, China, Singapore, Iceland, and Russia.
Authorities seized substantial evidence including three poker tables, 66 decks of cards, two laptops, a cash counting machine, a timing clock, two chip storage boxes, and poker chips of various colors (red, black, yellow, blue, green, brown, and pink). Police also confiscated 320 high-value chips worth 100,000 baht each (totaling 32 million baht), along with 315,050 Thai baht in cash, 1,900 US dollars, and a 100 yuan Chinese banknote. The total value of seized items amounted to approximately 51,411,100 baht (about 1,522,840 US dollars).
During questioning, all suspects admitted to participating in illegal poker gambling for real money. Foreign nationals revealed they had learned about the underground venue through Thai players they had met in international tournaments, who then invited them to play at this location.
Police transported all suspects to Lat Phrao Police Station for processing. Fifty-one players face charges of participating in illegal gambling, while the venue manager, identified as Sittisak, faces additional charges of organizing illegal gambling activities.
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