BANGKOK: Metropolitan Police arrested 36 gamblers in the Community of Monthon 7, along Khlong Thawi Watthana, Bangkok. Initially, the gamblers confessed to all charges, but the bookies denied the charges, admitting to being assistant bookies. All of them were taken to court.

According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Wichit Thirakhachonwong, Superintendent of Investigation Division 1, Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, Pol. Col. Thitiphong Siya, Superintendent of Investigation Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau 9, and Pol. Col. Trithep Phaetrat, Superintendent of Lak Song Police Station, along with a team of police officers under their jurisdiction, held a meeting to plan a mission to inspect and arrest people following information from a Facebook page that there was gambling in a house without a number in the area of the Monthon 7 Community, along Khlong Thawi Watthana, Bangkok.

Since the area is a community with only two small entrances and exits for pedestrians and multiple gates, after
it was confirmed that gambling was taking place in the third unnumbered house, forces were deployed to continuously observe the area.

Later, at approximately 01:30 on the same day, the police arrested Mr. Phanusit, aged 42, from Tambon Phra Pathom Chedi, Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Pathom Province, the bookmaker, and 36 others. They were charged with ‘organizing a gambling den for property without permission’ and ‘illegally gambling den for property without permission.’ There were 36 suspects, 28 men and 8 women. They also seized 1,500 baht in cash, 1 vinyl sheet with a den map, 31 stainless steel rakes, 8 small plastic baskets, 1 cover (woven bamboo), 1 ceramic plate, and 21 clear plastic dice.

Initially, the accused gamblers confessed to all charges, but the bookie denied being the bookie, admitting that he was only an assistant bookie. After that, all the accused, along with the evidence, were taken to the Lak Song Police Station investigators to proceed with legal action.