Court Jails Gambling Den Operators After Chiang Mai Raids

Following raids on two gambling dens in central Chiang Mai on September 18, authorities have secured court convictions against operators and players. Deputy Interior Minister Pol Peer Suvannavong led a special operations team from the Department of Local Administration in the crackdowns. A video emerged showing a subdistrict police officer making a phone call during one of the arrests, leading to further investigation.

Chiang Mai City Police completed their investigation and recommended charges against 27 people involved in running and playing at the dens. The provincial court sentenced the main organizer to four months in jail and a 2,500-baht fine without suspension, while another organizer received three months and the same fine. The police officer, who also serves as a subdistrict council member for Fah Ham, was sentenced to three months in jail, a 2,500-baht fine, and a one-year suspended sentence. Disciplinary proceedings are underway against him, and the subdistrict council is moving to remove him for ethical violations.

The officer's wife, who leased the venue, was also convicted as a co-organizer and received three months in jail, a 2,500-baht fine, and a one-year suspended sentence. Seventeen foreign nationals operating the gambling den each received three months in jail and a 2,500-baht fine with suspension; one illegal entrant received seven months and a 6,500-baht fine without suspension and faces deportation. Immigration authorities will proceed with pushing these foreign nationals out of the country.

The second gambling den, Pattaravorn, operated in the White Elephant subdistrict area under White Elephant Police Station jurisdiction. That station is investigating 48 suspects involved in operating and playing at the den and has submitted findings to prosecutors for review. Six foreign nationals among the suspects face similar deportation procedures pending court verdicts.