Rayong police launched a swift operation to raid a "Dragon Tiger" gambling den inside a famous resort in Nikom Phatthana. The gamblers were deeply engrossed in betting and caught off guard when the investigative team suddenly stormed the room, causing chaos and scattering the group. Some were shocked and unable to react. Authorities arrested 14 people in total, seizing gambling chips worth over 5.5 million baht. Two Cambodian nationals, who had entered the country illegally, were found acting as dealers distributing cards.
On 25 May 2026, reporters learned that Pol. Col. Apichanan Wattanawarankul, Chief of the Investigation Division of Rayong Provincial Police, together with Pol. Col. Chaipong Saengpongchai, Chief of Nikom Phatthana Police Station, led multiple police investigative units in a covert operation to surround and raid a resort in Map Kha Subdistrict, Nikom Phatthana District, Rayong Province, after receiving intelligence of an illegal "Dragon Tiger" gambling den operating inside a seminar room of the resort.
Reports indicated that before the raid, authorities quietly secured the surrounding area. Seizing the moment when gamblers were actively betting and watching their cards, they launched a surprise raid. As the door opened, the gamblers were shocked to the extreme; some quickly rose and tried to escape, others froze in place. Gambling chips and cards were scattered across the tables. Officials quickly regained control of the situation.
The search uncovered 14 suspects: 12 Thai nationals and 2 Cambodians, along with numerous seized items including gambling chips worth a total of 5,572,020 baht, over 100,000 baht in cash, 133 decks of cards, and a full set of equipment used to operate the gambling den.
During interrogation, the two Cambodian suspects were identified as Mr. Sovan Rara, 41, and Mrs. So Linda, 38. They confessed to illegally entering Thailand via natural routes near Ban Laem checkpoint in Chanthaburi Province and were hired to serve as dealers distributing cards inside the gambling den.
Initially, authorities charged the Cambodian suspects with "illegal entry into the country" and "organizing unauthorized gambling." The Thai gamblers were charged with "participating in unauthorized gambling." All suspects were detained and handed over to Nikom Phatthana Police Station for prosecution under the law.
Authorities believe the gambling den had been operating covertly for some time, using the resort as a front to avoid detection. However, the investigative team’s keen observation led to the raid, catching the gamblers red-handed. The surprise operation caused chaos throughout the resort as the gamblers were caught completely off guard.