After being tipped off by an informant, police, led by Thalang superintendent Pol Lt Col Amnauy Kraiwutanan, moved in quietly.
They watched as some 50 people prepared from the cockfight and then noisily started setting bets.
Police crashed into the clearing and chased the gamblers. Chaos ensued as people fled into the trees in all directions. Policemen managed to grab the slowest 16. They also seized two roosters, the cockfighting pit and B220 in cash.
Col Amnauy said, “They were charged with taking part in an illegal sport, and with gambling.”
He explained that the gambling charges could result in fines of up to B5,000, while using animals for sports may be punished with up to three years in jail.
“They will be locked up for a couple of weeks, waiting to appear in court,” he said. “After that, it will be about a year before the court renders its decision.”