Chinese tourists arrested in Thailand after police raid secret casino
Thailand tried to attract more tourists from China but got more than expected. On Wednesday, police raided a hotel, busted an illegal gambling operation and arrested 26 Chinese tourists, among others.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China was one of Thailand's major sources of tourism. As travel continues to normalize, Thailand has begun to provide more convenient travel conveniences for Chinese tourists.
This has also led to an increase in illegal gambling. Some companies, like the one police just raided, work exclusively with Chinese players.
No Entry
Immigration police raided two floors of a hotel in Nonthaburi province, west of Bangkok, following a tip-off. According to the media company "Thailand", they discovered illegal casino operations there.
It is reported that this illegal casino has been operating secretly for a long time. It has transformed the eighth and ninth floors of the hotel into a secret gambling den catering mainly to Chinese tourists.
Not everyone has access to a casino. Access to the illegal facility was through the use of key cards, suggesting players were prepared in advance for the visit.
During the raid, authorities seized six baccarat tables, six slot machines and 100 packs of playing cards. They also seized 3.5 million baht (about $99,000) in cash and an undisclosed amount of gambling chips.
The raid didn't just trap Chinese tourists. Police arrested a total of 49 people, including some from Canada, Singapore, Myanmar and Thailand, among workers and players.
Authorities said all the workers were foreigners, mostly from China. No one has permission to work in the country. The one person they couldn't catch was the casino owner, local media reported. He apparently fled the attack.
Major investigation ongoing
Gambling is still prohibited in Thailand, although this may change soon, resulting in possible legal consequences for participants. Individuals who engage in illegal gambling activities in the country may face penalties such as fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment of up to 12 months.
The Thai National report did not provide any specific information on possible penalties for foreigners. However, the investigation has just begun and prosecutors are still working on the case.
There could be significant consequences down the road. Senior police officer Kittirat Phanpetch, deputy police commander, plans to launch a full investigation that will also extend within the police force.
Based on the assumption that the casino has been operating for many years, he believes it may have had help maintaining low coverage. Kitilat hopes to find out whether officials neglected their duties or whether they accepted bribes to protect the troops.
Read also:
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
- Atlantic City casino smoking bill fails to gain support from Senate committee
- Barrie reportedly faces multiple investigations related to the Chicago casino, including one from federal authorities
- Las Vegas officials release facial recognition of body found in barrel in Lake Mead
Source: www.casino.org
