Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reported on February 18th that the Makkasan Police Station in Bangkok, in a joint operation with the Bangkok Gyeonggi Police Headquarters, raided an apartment building on Rama IX Road, successfully arresting 15 Chinese citizens. The suspects had rented an entire floor, using it as their base for online gambling.
Police seized over 20 computers, numerous tables and chairs, more than 10 mobile phones, a certain amount of cash, gambling equipment (such as mahjong tables), dozens of packs of illegally imported cigarettes, and three dissected pangolin carcasses.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects operated online gambling activities through illegal means, involving various forms of betting, including high and low stakes. Most players were Chinese, and they placed bets in RMB. The investigation revealed that funds were transferred through Alipay; no Thai accounts have been found so far, and the investigation is expanding. Because the game content is in Chinese and almost no Thai players are involved, police speculate that most players are Chinese. Police also discovered that the group's accounts had transferred over 2 million RMB, equivalent to approximately 9 million Thai Baht.
A preliminary passport check revealed that 14 suspects entered the country on tourist visas, and one on a business visa. All suspects will face legal consequences, and police have initially charged them with three offenses: organizing gambling, illegal employment, and smuggling goods. The suspects will be transferred to court within 48 hours and then handed over to the Immigration Department for deportation.
Police are further investigating whether Thai nationals were involved in renting apartments or facilitating these Chinese suspects. Relevant leads have been discovered, but details have not yet been released. Police stated that additional charges may be filed if other criminal activities are discovered.
