PATTAYA — Thai authorities arrested multiple Chinese nationals and other Southeast Asian suspects after raiding a Pattaya hotel that housed both an illegal gambling den and offices used by Chinese scammers for ransomware operations.
Immigration Police Division 3 and Chonburi Immigration, working with Pattaya Police and administrative officials, conducted a joint operation to investigate a large-scale illegal gambling operation in Pattaya after receiving reports it was operating from a hotel.
Following intelligence gathering, investigators deployed undercover agents who confirmed suspicious activity at the Antai Holiday Hotel on Soi Phen Yat Chang in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi. The 8-story building showed heavy foreign national activity during nighttime hours, raising suspicions of illegal gambling operations.
On June 16 at 11:30 p.m., authorities conducted floor-by-floor searches of the building. The first floor served as a reception area with Thai staff handling accommodation bookings, floors 3-7 contained guest rooms, while the second floor housed the gambling operation with 20 foreign gamblers and poker tables with large quantities of cash chips. The 8th floor served as the workplace for Chinese employees.
On June 17, officials confirmed the operation’s results, arresting suspects in three main groups:
Group 1 – Gambling Operation: 20 foreign nationals caught gambling, including 16 Chinese, 3 Vietnamese, and 1 Singaporean. Authorities seized poker tables and large amounts of cash chips.
Group 2 – Immigration Violations: 24 individuals violating immigration and foreign worker laws, including 16 Chinese, 2 Singaporeans, 1 Cambodian, and 5 Myanmar nationals (with 3 having illegally entered the country).
Group 3 – Ransomware Scammers: 6 Chinese nationals operating from the 8th floor, working online to send malicious links to Chinese companies for ransomware deployment. Computer evidence showed they were paid employees distributing links to release ransomware.
They were charged with being members of a criminal organization with concealed methods and illegal purposes, plus working without permits. Authorities seized 9 laptop computers and 15 mobile phones.
All suspects have been charged according to applicable laws and transferred to investigators for prosecution. They will be sent to court and immediately deported to their home countries, with permanent blacklisting preventing future entry to Thailand.
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