Thai police raid illegal poker den, arrest 19 including foreigners
As crackdown on illegal gambling continues in Thailand, Pattaya City Police raided the Mind Sports Club on Central Pattaya Road and arrested 19 people involved in underground poker games. The operation was led by Superintendent Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu following a tip-off about illegal gambling activities at the location.
Upon inspection, the officers found the ground floor of the building operating as a snooker club, while the second floor had been transformed into a VIP-style area designated for illegal poker games.
Foreign nationals among those arrested
Police found 13 players and six staff members inside the venue. Of the 19 suspects, 9 were Thai nationals and 10 were foreigners — including one each from the Philippines, Cambodia, Russia, Denmark, Myanmar, Singapore, and Canada, and three from Malaysia.
A 65-year-old Singaporean national, Yin Choun Lau, was identified by police as the organiser of the operation.
Police reported that participants paid a seat fee of 1,800 baht per round, with bets ranging between US$2,500 and US$5,000 (approximately 75,000 to 150,000 baht). The total cash circulation during the games was estimated to be over 5 million baht.
“The games were structured as tournaments with a 1,800-baht seat fee per round. Participants placed bets ranging from 75,000 to 150,000 baht,” said Pol. Col. Anek.
Although the event was framed as a competition, authorities confirmed it was in violation of gambling laws.
Lau has been charged with organising illegal gambling, while the other 18 individuals face charges of participating in illegal poker gambling. All suspects have been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
Recent raids across Thailand
In a separate incident in Soi Bongkot, South Pattaya, police arrested five individuals for playing hi-lo, a traditional Thai dice game. Officers seized dice, a score sheet, and 290 baht in cash. One person was additionally charged with acting as the gambling dealer.
Earlier, on March 4, Thai police raided an illegal poker setup in a warehouse in Bangkok, arresting 52 individuals. That operation, led by Ladprao Police Station, uncovered 51.4 million baht in gambling chips. All suspects from both incidents have also been sent for further legal action.
Strict anti-gambling laws
Under Thailand’s strict anti-gambling laws, even private poker games are illegal, and police are determined to clamp down on such activities. In March 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved the second draft of the Entertainment Complex Bill, which would allow casino operations under strict conditions.
The Entertainment Complex Bill in the country aims to create legal casino resorts within broader entertainment zones. However, the proposal is encountering increased political and public opposition, which could postpone the legislative process beyond what was originally anticipated.
