Immigration Police Division 3 launched a raid on a foreign poker den in central Pattaya, Chonburi Province, arresting gamblers and organizers totaling 10 individuals and seizing numerous items as evidence.
On 10 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of Immigration Police, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Pantha Nuchnat, Deputy Commissioner, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Police Division 3, Pol. Col. Chinawut Tangwonglert, Deputy Commander, and Pol. Col. Suriya Puangsomboon, Chief of the Investigation Division, to lead a force including Pol. Lt. Col. Ithithorn Prasertsak, Pol. Lt. Col. Thongthai Pairo, and Pol. Capt. Anupap Tujinda to conduct a raid on a foreign poker den in central Pattaya, Chonburi Province, arresting gamblers and organizers totaling 10 individuals and seizing numerous items as evidence.
Earlier that night, Immigration Police Division 3 received a tip that a group of foreigners were gathering to gamble inside a luxury house in Pattaya, Chonburi. Upon investigation, the house was securely fenced with locked gates and guarded by security personnel. The police decided to climb the fence to enter the rear of the property and forcibly break down the door. On the second floor, they found a group of gamblers playing poker who were startled and fled in panic. The officers arrested nine individuals: two Finns, two Danes, three British, one German, and one Chinese, along with one Thai organizer.
They also seized the following evidence:
17,070 baht in cash, 100 British pounds in cash, and 300 Australian dollars in cash.
2,000 US dollars in cash; one tray of yellow-black cash substitute chips; two trays of black-gray chips; one tray of red-black chips; 10 decks of red-black COPAG playing cards; two decks of red WPT cards; three decks of black WPT cards; and a QR code.
During initial questioning, Mr. Panya Meechan, 29, admitted to being the organizer. He stated that the den was for poker games exclusively for foreigners. The venue moved regularly to avoid detection. Players were invited via social media groups, and once the group was complete, staff would open the house for gambling where chips were exchanged for cash.
Mr. Panya was charged with "organizing gambling for personal benefit," while all foreign gamblers faced charges of "illegal gambling for property" under the Gambling Act of 1935.
Further examination of passports revealed one of the three British detainees had overstayed their visa and was charged additionally for illegal residence. All suspects were then held and transferred to investigators for prosecution according to the law.