Five Senior Officers Under Investigation After Bangkok Gambling Crackdown

Five Senior Officers Under Investigation After Bangkok Gambling Crackdown

BANGKOK, April 27 — Bangkok police have opened a disciplinary investigation into five senior officers after raids uncovered two illegal gambling dens in the Thai capital, authorities said.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau said the officers from Bueng Kum and Nimit Mai police stations were transferred to inactive posts pending the outcome of the probe.

Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom said an inquiry committee would examine whether local officers failed in their duties by allowing the gambling operations to function in their jurisdictions.
The move follows raids by a special unit from the Department of Provincial Administration on venues in the Hathairat and Serithai areas, where more than 100 gamblers were arrested and assets worth millions of baht were seized.

Authorities are investigating whether there was negligence, insufficient enforcement or a lack of oversight by officers responsible for the affected areas.

Siam said metropolitan police had already ordered intensified crackdowns on illegal gambling and related vice activities across Bangkok.

He added that investigative and intelligence units had been instructed to respond quickly to public complaints and prevent similar operations from reopening.

The outcome of the inquiry could lead to disciplinary penalties and stricter future oversight of local police districts.