Thai police have busted an illegal gambling den in the province of Nakhon Nayok, featuring more than 200 patrons inside.
A series of arrests happened at the illegal gambling den where Thai police seized chips and cash worth more than ฿2m (approximately $59,300). The country’s Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, is said to have been instrumental in arranging the raid, having discovered that the operation was happening in a rice field.
It came about due to a complaint that the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Ombudsman Center had received from some Thai people who reported suspicious activity about an illegal gambling den that was claimed to be active all hours of the day and night.
As well as illegal games, it is said that there was also evidence of unsanctioned online gambling. Thai police seized the gambling equipment and discovered that this den had been operating for almost a year, even having a level of organized transport, with taxis, minibusses, and vans bringing the gamblers around.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister said of the bust: “The duty of the Ministry of Interior is to focus on social order to create a peaceful society, an orderly country, and to let go of vices and ensure the safety of the people. Anything that conflicts with this aim is something that we must allow the state mechanism to eliminate completely.”
This bust follows the recent news that most Thai people oppose the government’s plans for casinos and online gambling, according to a poll. Of the 1,310 people surveyed, 69% opposed online gambling, and 59% disagreed with entertainment complexes and casinos being legalized in the country.
However, the Thai government has approved a drafted law to allow casinos in the country, which has yet to be fully approved. At present, the only legalized gambling allowed in Thailand is horse racing and the lottery. The proposed bill still needs to receive parliamentary approval before it can be actioned.
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