Gambling den raided
Police in Bangkok, Thailand have shut down a major illegal gambling operation in the Don Muang district, detaining more than 200 people in a large-scale raid.
generating over THB500m (US$13.8m) every month
The venue, which was open until 6am every day, was said to be one of the most lucrative underground gambling houses in the capital, generating over THB500m (US$13.8m) every month.
The operation came after weeks of surveillance following complaints from residents about disturbances in the area. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation in the belief that the den was part of a much larger network operating in the capital area.
Intelligence gathering
Police had tracked activity at the site for roughly a month before carrying out the raid, uncovering a highly resilient operation that had survived multiple crackdowns in the past via legal loopholes and smaller penalties.
opened its doors daily at 10am and only shut down for a short four-hour break at 6am
The den contained five separate gambling rooms, including a spacious central hall and exclusive VIP sections. According to investigators, each room could bring in between THB3m ($92,800) and THB4m ($123,700) in a matter of hours. The venue opened its doors daily at 10am and only shut down for a short four-hour break at 6am the following day.
Police confiscated 17 bank passbooks linked to accounts that documented more than THB500 million in monthly transactions. These records are now central to an ongoing investigation into how the profits were managed and where the money was directed.
Larger network
Authorities stated that the den was likely part of a far larger group of illegal operators. As a result, the crackdown was aimed not just at shutting down the site itself but at gathering intelligence on the wider network and those who orchestrate it.
The suspects detained in Don Muang are currently being processed for legal action. At the same time, police are working to follow the financial trail in hopes of dismantling the network’s higher-level organizers.
“The den was part of a network that had been raided multiple times but continued to operate illegally,” said Interior Minister and acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Phumtham also praised the local community efforts in assisting the authorities and encouraged others to report suspicious activities, stating: “Public tip-offs are essential in creating a society free from vice.”
