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Phuket raid nets 20 gamblers, B130K cash seized

Phuket raid nets 20 gamblers, B130K cash seized

PHUKET: Police arrested 20 gamblers and seized more than B130,000 in cash last night (Oct 9) after the high-rollers were found gambling on the popular betting board game called “shrimp and fish” at a warehouse in Wichit.


By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 10 October 2016 12:11 PM


 

More than 15 officials, including police officers led by Wichit Police Chief Col Nikorn Somsuk and Deputy Chief for Provincial Defence Administration Jiradet Burarak, raided the warehouse, located on Thepanusorn Rd at 6:30pm.

Police said that the raid followed a resident reporting that a group of people were gambling inside.

Officials surrounded the area and arrested 16 Thais: 10 men and six women. Four Myanmar nationals were also arrested.

Police seized more than B130,000 cash, 142 betting tokens, two baskets containing players’ mobile phones as well as written records of bets placed and winning payouts.

“They were concentrating on playing the board game when we arrived,” Col Nikorn said.

“They panicked and started to run, but we apprehended all of them. Some of the gamblers were still wearing white to mark the Vegetarian Festival,” he said.

None of the people arrested admitted to owning the warehouse gambling den, Col Nikorn noted.

“All 20 were taken to Wichit Police Station to face gambling charges and further questioning,” he said.