BANGKOK, Thailand — A gambling den hidden behind commercial shopfronts in Bangkok erupted into chaos yesterday as special operations officers stormed the premises, sending over 50 gamblers scrambling for cover in a dramatic raid.
The operation, part of the government’s new “Shut Down Saphan Mai Casino” crackdown, was ordered directly by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to curb illegal gambling and enforce social order.
The raid took place at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, in Soi Phahonyothin 52, Intersection 1, Sai Mai district—a location conveniently close to a metro station.
Investigators said the illegal casino operated discreetly behind interconnected commercial buildings, shielded by a glass door and several layers of security. Once inside, officers discovered a large hall filled with gamblers engrossed in high-stakes games.
“The moment the team entered, there was instant chaos,” one official reported. “People were jumping up, trying to hide chips, and running in every direction.”
Images captured during the raid show rows of card tables and betting stations hastily abandoned as patrons fled in panic. Officers recovered gambling paraphernalia scattered across tables, as well as a safe containing an undisclosed sum of cash. Additional funds believed to be proceeds from the illegal operation were also seized during the search.
Authorities have not yet confirmed how many suspects were detained or the total amount of money confiscated. Investigations are ongoing to identify the operators behind the illicit casino and determine the full extent of the network.
The crackdown is part of wider efforts to dismantle underground gambling dens, which officials say fuel organized crime and threaten public safety.
