The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) launched Operation "Dragon Nest" to dismantle a grey capital dragon's lair by raiding a luxury hotel in Nonthaburi. The hotel operated an integrated illegal gambling den, drug parties, and prostitution service exclusively for Chinese clients, with tight security to block police access. A Chinese suspect claimed to be merely a foreman of workers.
On 26 Jul 2024 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, Superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division, Pol. Col. Suriyasak Jirawat, Superintendent of Division 3, and Pol. Col. Netiwit Thanasitnitikul, Superintendent of Division 2, to lead more than 100 officers with a criminal court search warrant to surround and search a hotel on Ngamwongwan Road, Bang Khen Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. Investigation found it was converted into a base for a Chinese grey capital group, operating an illegal gambling den, drug use and trafficking, and prostitution services catering exclusively to Chinese clients.
Following reports from local residents that the hotel was a gathering place for illegal activities by Chinese groups with continuous arrivals and departures of Chinese nationals day and night, and refusal of Thai customers claiming full occupancy, investigators conducted field inquiries. They found the hotel systematically converted into a "secret lair" for Chinese grey capital. Floors 2 through 6 were guest rooms; floors 7 and 8 were converted into party rooms for drug use and gambling dens. Security was extremely tight, with security guards using radios to communicate with staff inside. Elevators were locked, requiring key cards only up to the 6th floor, then guests had to climb locked stairs to floors 7 and 8. Nearly all service staff were Chinese living on-site to prevent information leaks.
Additionally, the Chinese grey capital group arranged vans to pick up Chinese clients from the airport directly to the hotel, offering comprehensive services including lodging, gambling, drug parties involving ketamine and "happy water," and prostitution. In 2023, the hotel was previously raided by immigration police who arrested over 49 Chinese and Thai gamblers. The venue then pretended to close for renovations but secretly reopened with even stricter security measures, flouting the law again.
During the search, authorities found over 40 residents inside the building, including Chinese, Myanmar, and Shan ethnicities. Four suspects were arrested: Mr. LIU, 33, a Chinese national, found with drugs, plus three Myanmar migrant workers who had entered the country illegally. Officials seized more than 200 items including ketamine, happy water, gambling chips, baccarat tables, dice, 110,000 baht in cash, and CCTV cameras.
In the parking area, numerous vehicles mostly owned by Chinese nationals were found. Investigation revealed links indicating these were held as nominees.
In preliminary questioning, the Chinese suspect LIU claimed he was only a foreman who delivered drugs as ordered but denied ownership of the drugs and cash found in the safe. Authorities detained the suspects and seized all evidence, transferring them to Rattanathibet Police Station for prosecution and continuing to investigate to identify and prosecute the main perpetrators.
