Authorities carried out a raid on an illegal gambling establishment located in an old futsal stadium in Bangkok’s Don Muang district on Saturday. This particular venue has faced multiple raids and closures over several years.
A group of 30 officers, under the command of Superintendent Pol Col Sukrit Mangklasawas from Don Muang police station, conducted a raid on a gambling den nestled within an old futsal stadium on Soi Song Prapha 1, Saturday night.
Secured Premise
With a Don Muang Kwaeng Court warrant, the officers attempted to access the stadium through the gates, only to find that they were barricaded and the premises secured with barbed wire.
Consequently, a few officers scaled a fence to gain access to the stadium and had to expertly navigate multiple locks to facilitate additional backup officers’ entry.
The officers discovered three interconnected rooms that had been bolstered with soundproof materials. Authorities apprehended four people involved in gambling activities and detained six additional individuals. They also confiscated various gambling equipment during the operation.
The den has experienced multiple raids in the past few years alone. The most recent raid occurred on December 29 last year, resulting in the arrest of 65 individuals. The authorities have closed down the den, which was run by a person named “Amnuay.”
In 2022, he received a prison sentence of two years and eight months for another offense. However, he is currently out on bail and awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
The den temporarily shut its doors, only to reopen soon after, as the operator took advantage of the downtime to give the premises a makeover. Police also searched the site on March 27. Investigators confiscated several pieces of gambling equipment, but no individuals engaging in gambling were found at the time.
Multiple Raids
The gambling den has been raided by authorities on multiple occasions, around ten times. Despite various closures, the business persevered and successfully reopened each time, maintaining its operations.
The repeated raids on illegal gambling dens like the one in Bangkok highlight the persistent challenge authorities face in curbing such activities. Legalizing and regulating gambling could offer a solution that provides oversight and generates revenue.
By doing so, Thailand can better control these establishments and mitigate the associated societal issues.
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