KOH SAMUI — In an unusual diplomatic gathering of sorts, police in Koh Samui arrested four foreigners—two Russians, one Ukrainian, and one French national—who had set aside geopolitical tensions to enjoy an illegal poker game together at a private residence.
Bo Phut police officers have arrested five individuals for participating in an illegal poker gambling operation at a residence in Moo 6, Bo Phut sub-district, Koh Samui, Surat Thani province.
According to police, the gambling ring was organized through social media, with participants arranging to meet at the house on March 29. Upon investigation, authorities found a 38-year-old Thai man from Narathiwat province who was managing the gambling operation, along with four foreign nationals of three different nationalities.
The foreign participants included a 50-year-old French national identified as Mr. Stanley, a 48-year-old Ukrainian national identified as Mr. Ruslan, and two Russian nationals — Mr. Alexandr, 38, and Mr. Dmitri, 43.
Police seized the gambling table and all poker equipment as evidence. All five suspects will be brought before the court on March 31.
The Thai organizer has been charged with operating an illegal gambling establishment, while the four foreigners face charges of participating in illegal gambling with stakes involving property without proper authorization.
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