Over 30 arrested in Bangkok gambling den raid run by Chinese nationals

February 19, 2025

Over 30 arrested in Bangkok gambling den raid run by Chinese nationals

As many as 31 suspects were arrested during a police raid on a gambling den run by Chinese nationals in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang area early Wednesday (19 February) morning.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Suthisan Police Station searched a three-storey building in Soi Pracharat Bamphen 11 at 1 am after receiving a tip-off about gambling activities. They found Thai-Chinese and Chinese gamblers playing card games on the second and third floors.

The arrested individuals included both gamblers and staff managing the venue. Police seized card games, gambling chips, and 10,000 baht in cash.

The building had only one entrance and exit, and all signs inside were in Chinese, indicating it mainly catered to Chinese nationals or Thai-Chinese speakers.

One of the workers told police that Chinese nationals had rented the building to operate the gambling den, which had been running for only a week before the raid.

Police are now investigating to identify the Chinese owners. All 31 arrested suspects have been charged under Section 12 of the Gambling Act for gambling without permits, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both.

A similar case was reported a few days ago in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district, where Chinese nationals allegedly ran a gambling den disguised as a restaurant called the Bitcoin Club on the third floor of the Galaxy Building. During that raid, police arrested 12 foreign gamblers, including Chinese, Singaporean, Filipino, and Indian nationals. A Thai woman, Chatchaya Phuprasert, was arrested as the venue’s manager. The same venue had been previously shut down in 2023 due to a drug-related death but was reportedly reopened under new management.

Thailand has been intensifying efforts to combat organised crime, including illegal gambling and cyber fraud networks that often operate across borders. The government’s latest measures highlight its commitment to addressing regional security concerns.

The nation is stepping up its fight against gambling and cross-border crime to stop illegal networks near its borders. As the government discusses legalising casinos, there is growing pressure to weigh the economic benefits against social and security concerns.