Thai Police Officers Detained for Overlooking Unlawful Gambling Establishments
In a bid to combat corruption and illegal gambling activities, Thailand has intensified its law enforcement efforts, focusing on unlawful casinos and their alleged protectors within the police force. The recent case of the 89 CLUB in Muang district serves as a prime example of this crackdown.
In central Thailand's Muang district, an illicit casino named 89 CLUB had been operating, attracting around 100 individuals daily. The casino, which could accommodate up to 300 patrons, had only one exit, raising safety concerns. To ensure security, patrons were required to surrender their phones upon entry.
Among the gambling options offered at 89 CLUB were Dragon Tiger card games, Hi-Lo, and baccarat. The casino's extensive surveillance system consisted of about a dozen strategically positioned CCTV cameras.
However, the lack of oversight allowed the casino to evade punishment for its illegal activities. This prompted authorities to take action, leading to a raid on the premises. During the raid, a substantial amount of cash, gambling paraphernalia, and vehicles were seized. A total of 104 individuals, including croupiers and customers, were apprehended.
The police chief, Thawatchai Pongwiwattanachai, has issued orders to reassign five officers due to their failure to take action against the 89 CLUB. The detainees now face charges ranging from participation in illegal gambling to involvement in its operations.
Thai police have actively conducted raids on properties and locations linked to illegal casino operators and related criminal networks, including in border provinces where unlawful casinos often operate. The government has publicly emphasized penalties for any Thai citizens, including officials, found collaborating with illegal casino operators or involved in corrupt practices, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach.
Efforts are also underway to potentially enhance the police force's image by expanding regulated gambling options, although progress remains gradual and incremental. Meanwhile, investigations and raids also focus on corrupt officials and networks involved in laundering money from illegal activities, including casinos and extortion rings.
While the specific case of the 89 Club in Muang district is not detailed in the search results, the pattern of Thai authorities’ interventions suggests that unlawful casinos implicated with corrupt police officers are being tackled through comprehensive investigations, raids on criminal properties, arrest warrants for involved parties, and cross-agency collaboration to dismantle corruption and illegal gambling networks.
However, challenges remain due to complex transnational criminal and corruption networks. Another location mentioned in the complaint was the Phattarawan Snooker Club, located in the same Muang district. It remains unclear whether a raid was conducted at this location.
This strategic reshuffling serves as a proactive measure to fortify the police force against corrupt practices. Thailand's crackdown on police officers who shirk their responsibilities in regards to illicit casinos is part of broader anti-corruption and anti-crime campaigns targeting illegal gambling operations, money laundering, and collusion involving law enforcement and political figures.
- The seizure of gambling paraphernalia and vehicles in the 89 CLUB raid further highlighted the Thai government's intensified focus on tackling casino-and-gambling-related crimes, as part of the general-news-worthy anti-corruption and crime-and-justice campaign.
- The 89 CLUB incident wasn't the only case under investigation, as another location, the Phattarawan Snooker Club, was mentioned in complaints, raising questions about further illegal casino-games activities taking place in the Muang district.
- In response to the widespread issue of police collusion with illegal casinos, the Thai government has taken proactive steps to crack down on such corruption networks, not only in central regions but also in border provinces, ensuring accountability for those involved and upholding the zero-tolerance policy.
