Luxury Pool Villa in Pattaya Used as Illegal Casino, Police Say
Luxury Pool Villa in Pattaya Used as Illegal Casino, Police Say
PATTAYA, May 21, 2026 — Thai police and local administrative officers raided an illegal baccarat gambling operation inside a luxury pool villa near Pattaya late on Wednesday, arresting 18 people and seizing gambling equipment, authorities said.
The operation took place at around 11:06 PM in Pong subdistrict under the supervision of Nong Prue Police Station chief Pol Col Natthaphon Phong Suk Sakul and Banglamung district officials.
Authorities said officers detained 18 gamblers, including five men and 13 women, who were found actively participating in card games inside the villa. Police also arrested four Cambodian nationals accused of working as card dealers.
Seized evidence included baccarat, also known locally as Tiger-Dragon, gaming tables, playing cards and a large quantity of gambling chips used during the operation.
Police said the raid followed repeated complaints from local residents who reported frequent vehicle traffic and rotating groups of visitors entering and leaving the property, raising suspicions the villa had been operating as an underground casino.
Investigators conducted surveillance after receiving information from an informant before moving in on the property.
According to police, officers found gamblers gathered around card tables inside the villa, with loud cheering and casino-style activity taking place at the time of the raid.
Pol Col Natthaphon said authorities believed the operation was professionally managed due to the quality of the equipment and the organised setup inside the villa.
“The operation used high-standard equipment, indicating it was run by experienced individuals who had evaded detection for some time,” he said.
All suspects and seized evidence were transferred to investigators for legal proceedings under Thailand’s gambling laws.
Thailand has strict anti-gambling laws, although illegal casinos and underground betting operations continue to surface periodically in tourist areas and major cities despite ongoing police crackdowns.
