An investigator from the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Police disguised himself as a monk to raid an illegal hi-lo gambling ring openly operating at a temple's funeral hall. The gambling lasted three days and nights, with strict guards screening people and vehicles entering and exiting. Authorities surrounded the area and arrested nine gamblers.
On 5 July 2026, Police Colonel Theeraphat Banditohiranchot, an investigator from Nakhon Nayok Provincial Police, led an undercover team disguised as monks and temple boys to raid a hi-lo gambling ring secretly operating inside Nong Thong Sai Temple in Dong Lakhon Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District. Nine gamblers were arrested along with hi-lo equipment and 13,000 baht in cash.
This operation followed intelligence revealing that the gambling group moved from funeral to funeral across several provinces, using temples as meeting points. They organized shifts to guard the site and strictly screened people and vehicles entering and leaving. Police conducted continuous surveillance for over three days and nights before planning the raid.
The investigator disguised as a monk entered the gambling circle, and at the right moment, revealed his identity, causing the gamblers to scatter and flee. Some escaped under cover of darkness, but authorities detained nine suspects along with 13,000 baht in cash and hi-lo gambling equipment.
Additionally, police arrested Wachira, also known as “Top,” aged 30, on charges of ketamine drug use.
Initially, all suspects were handed over to investigators at Dong Lakhon Police Station to proceed with legal action. Authorities emphasized their ongoing commitment to cracking down on illegal gambling, especially when temples and funerals are used as venues for such activities.
The Nakhon Nayok Provincial Police investigator recorded a video warning gamblers before the raid, saying: “I believe playing cards and hi-lo gambling inside a temple is inappropriate. I kindly ask you to stop playing; otherwise, the police will arrest you.”