A fact-finding committee has been set up by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) to find out whether police in the Sutthisan area of Bangkok had deliberately turned a blind eye to illegal gambling, which was uncovered during a raid by the MPB on the night of June 24th/25th.
52 gamblers, a number of them foreigners, were taken into police custody and about 4.3 million baht in cash was seized at the location.
Pol Maj-Gen Jirasan Kaewsang-ek, deputy commissioner of the MPB, said today (Monday) that the raid was carried out based on investigation of the gambling den.
He admitted that it is still unclear whether the den was being operated by foreigners, but many foreigners have been staying in the area, adding, however, that police will investigate the owner of the building as to whether they were aware that it had been turned into a gambling den and whether there are more people who might be involved in the illegal activities.
He said, however, that no action has been taken yet against any senior police officer at Sutthisan police station.
Since June 1st, Pol Maj-Gen Jirasan disclosed that MPB has recorded 497 illegal gambling cases, including 109 cases in areas under the jurisdiction of the MPB’s Second Division, which covers the Sutthisan police.
In the Sutthisan area alone, there have been 13 illegal gambling cases and 29 involving entertainment venues.
Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service