Thai Police Officers Caught Neglecting Illicit Gambling Establishment
Thailand is facing a two-pronged problem with illegal gambling. Not only do fake cops try to extort money through fraudulent means, but some real cops are turning a blind eye to illegal casinos in the area. To clean up police forces, officials have reassigned five high-ranking cops for inaction against an illegal gambling den.
Under their supervision, several gambling spots went unchecked. Now, these officers may see their chances for career advancement evaporate as a complaint brings their actions into question.
According to Thai media outlet Thairath Online, the complaint was about the 89 CLUB in Muang district, central Thailand. On Thursday, Chief of Police for Kanchanaburi province, Thawatchai Pongwiwattanachai, announced that these officials were reassigned to "non-executive roles".
Ignoring the Law
After receiving the complaint, authorities raided the 89 CLUB on Wednesday. They found that the casino, which could hold up to 300 customers, had only one exit. If you think that sounds dodgy, it gets bigger. The casino reportedly offered Dragon Tiger card games, Hi-Lo, and baccarat among other games. It's speculated that at least 100 people visited the casino every day.
This casino had taken great pains to avoid detection. It apparently had a sophisticated surveillance system with over a dozen CCTV cameras. Visitors were made to leave their phones or mobile devices at the entrance.
The police apprehended 104 individuals during the raid, including croupiers and customers. They also seized cash, gambling equipment, and vehicles worth a significant amount.
All 104 people, along with the confiscated items, were taken to a local police station. The accused individuals face charges related to their involvement with illegal gambling, varying from attending the casino to managing the operations.
Another location, the Phattarawan Snooker Club, was also mentioned in the complaint, but police didn't state if they conducted a raid there.
Murky Waters
Pongwiwattanachai expressed his worries about how these gambling establishments and 'wayward' cops have spoilt the city's reputation. To fix this, he ordered the reorganization of the police force. He didn't disclose the identities of the five officials or accuse them of participating in the gambling activity.
Their reassignment is intended to demonstrate a strong stand against illegal activities and inspire officers to avoid participating in shady events.
Rebuilding the police force's reputation might be aided by the prospect of legalized casinos. Attempts are being made to introduce casinos with proper regulation, although discussions have been going on for over two years and progress has been minimal.
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Source: www.casino.org
