NONTHABURI — A joint task force of police and local officials raided a dragon-tiger gambling den in Bang Yai district on June 18, arresting 54 individuals and seizing 218,340 baht in cash.
The raid, which took place at 3 p.m. in an unregistered warehouse located in Soi Kaew In, Mueang subdistrict, marks the second such operation in Bang Yai within two weeks.
Led by Governor Kiattisak Trongsiri and Police Maj. Gen. Kittithane Thananantawisin, officials infiltrated the location — a one-rai compound surrounded by a 3-meter-high corrugated metal fence — after scaling the barrier.
Inside, authorities found 46 Thai nationals and eight Myanmar nationals gambling. The group, made up of 15 men, 31 women, and 8 foreign workers, attempted to flee but were swiftly apprehended.
The operation followed a tip-off received by district officials, who conducted surveillance and verified the presence of active illegal gambling at the air-conditioned warehouse. Once inside, officials recovered dragon-tiger gambling equipment and a large amount of cash.
Governor Kiattisak stated that the raid was part of Nonthaburi’s ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling, a major contributor to economic instability and public debt in the region.
Police are now analyzing CCTV footage to determine the length of the operation and identify possible owners or financiers. Due to conflicting statements from the suspects, footage and forensic evidence will be critical to building the case.
Maj. Gen. Kittithane praised the collaborative efforts of Bang Yai’s administrative and law enforcement teams and emphasized that such operations reflect national policy priorities from both the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior.
Authorities said that if evidence points to specific organizers or financiers, additional charges such as money laundering may be filed.
