Police Raid Railway-Side Gambling Den, Arrest 11

Phaya Thai Police investigators changed tactics by deploying a train approach rather than vehicles and motorcycles to surprise an illegal hi-lo gambling operation in a community setting near the railway on Rama VI Soi 19, Phetchburi subdistrict, Ratchathewi district, Bangkok. The operation resulted in 11 arrests—nine men and two women—caught actively gambling in violation of law. Officers confiscated hi-lo equipment including dice, bamboo baskets used to cover the dice, approximately 30 gambling chips, and 140 baht in cash.

The location sits in a railway-adjacent area within the community and has been a persistent source of public complaints due to regular illegal gambling operations. Despite multiple police raids and arrests over the past year—more than 10 occasions—operators continued returning because informants stationed at the soi entrance warned them of approaching officers. The gambling setup occupies public space, with operators using canvas and black plastic sheeting to construct temporary structures for play, disrupting community use of the area.

Previous enforcement efforts often netted only one or two people, typically elderly gamblers too slow to flee, while others escaped due to early warnings from lookouts. In what police described as a cat-and-mouse game, both sides continuously adapted their tactics. To counter the tip-off network, investigators changed strategy from using vehicles to riding the train directly to the site, reducing visibility to spotters at the soi entrance before encircling and arresting suspects. Most suspects were local residents playing for stakes of only 10–20 baht per round, not a large-scale operation. Arrestees ranged in age from 40 to over 60 years old; some have been released on bail while others remain in custody at Phaya Thai Police Station facing charges of unlawful hi-lo gambling in conspiracy with fugitives.