Authorities Raid Two Underground Gambling Dens in Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen-Serihai Areas, Arrest Over 100 Gamblers

At 9:00 PM on April 25, 2569, Ranrong Tipsiri, director of the Law Enforcement Operations Center, led a special enforcement unit from the Department of Local Administration in raids on two underground gambling dens in central Bangkok.

The first location was a single-story warehouse on Ratchadamnoen Road in Samwa Thawan subdistrict, Klongsamwa district. Officers found 63 gamblers—33 men and 30 women—along with gambling equipment including hi-lo tables, poker cards, and fish-shooting arcade machines. Authorities seized approximately 300,000 baht in cash and other equipment, bringing all suspects to Nimibutr Police Station for investigation.

The second location was a single-story warehouse inside an abandoned gas station on Serihai Road 9, Khlong Khum subdistrict, Bueng Khum district. Officers arrested 41 gamblers—21 men and 20 women—and seized 50,000 baht in cash along with hi-lo gambling equipment. All suspects were transferred to Bueng Khum Police Station for legal proceedings.

Ranrong stated that residents had filed complaints about the Ratchadamnoen gambling den, prompting undercover investigators to gather intelligence. The warehouse was officially rented as a storage facility since November 2568, but the operators converted it into a 24-hour gambling operation with limited capacity managed in rotating shifts due to crowding. Initial investigation suggests daily gambling turnover exceeds 1 million baht. The operation featured air conditioning, hi-lo games, fish-shooting machines, and online gambling. Authorities believe these raids will serve as a warning to other gambling operations throughout Bangkok and expect some dens to voluntarily close. However, officials vow to immediately arrest operators of any newly discovered illegal gambling venues. This crackdown follows directives from the Prime Minister and Interior Minister to intensify enforcement against illegal gambling operations.