Ex-Thai Politician Linked to 43 Million Baht Gambling Den Raid
Ex-Thai Politician Linked to 43 Million Baht Gambling Den Raid
BANGKOK, May 22, 2026 — Thai authorities have raided an illegal gambling operation allegedly linked to a former local politician, arresting 55 people and uncovering evidence of more than 43 million baht in suspected gambling-related cash flow at an abandoned hotel in Samut Prakan province.
The operation was conducted by officers from the Department of Provincial Administration and the Territorial Defence Volunteers Bureau at the Chalermwong Hotel, where investigators discovered a large-scale gambling venue operating inside the building.
Authorities said the hotel’s fourth floor had been converted into an illegal casino equipped with gambling tables, chips and cash handling facilities.
Among those arrested were six alleged operators and 49 gamblers, including both Thai and foreign nationals. Officers also seized around eight million baht in cash and confiscated gambling equipment from the scene.
Two military-grade firearms were additionally recovered during the raid, with investigators believing the weapons may have belonged to security personnel assigned to protect the operation.
Police identified the alleged owner as Pratchaya Chalermwong, a former deputy mayor of Lat Luang district and the owner of the hotel property. Authorities said Pratchaya was suspected of managing the gambling business but was not present during the raid.
Investigators said undercover operations conducted prior to the raid had linked him to the operation and uncovered unusually large financial transactions passing through accounts connected to the venue.
According to authorities, the gambling den catered to wealthy clients, including Chinese nationals, with betting stakes reportedly ranging from 100,000 baht to one million baht per round.
Officials suspect the operation generated daily cash flows exceeding 40 million baht.
All detainees have been transferred to the Phra Samut Chedi District Office for legal proceedings, while authorities continue efforts to locate Pratchaya and identify additional suspects connected to the network.
Thailand has intensified crackdowns on illegal gambling, transnational crime and underground financial networks in recent months as part of wider national security and anti-corruption campaigns.
