Chanthaburi—Cambodia has ordered casinos and online gambling websites in Pailin Province to shut down by the end of September. There have been movements transporting equipment and belongings across the border. Recently, marine rangers in Chanthaburi found a stash of mysterious items—including computer equipment, suitcases, and documents—hidden in a hut in an agricultural area of Pong Nam Ron district, totaling 57 pieces. Initial suspicions suggest these may be linked to preparations for relocating operations into Thailand's interior.
At approximately 09:00 on 22 September 2026, the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Force, through the Chanthaburi Marine Task Force, the 4th Marine Ranger Control Unit, and the 543rd Marine Ranger Company at Khlong Pong Nam Ron, deployed a patrol in the border area of Village 4, Khlong Yai subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province.
During the patrol, officers discovered an unnumbered hut located inside an agricultural plantation. Inside and around the hut, they found numerous plastic crates, cardboard boxes, suitcases, and sacks gathered suspiciously in a pile. Authorities then coordinated with Khlong Yai local administration to join the investigation.
Preliminary findings included 34 plastic crates, 7 cardboard boxes, 8 suitcases, and 8 sacks, totaling 57 items. These contained computer equipment and components, personal belongings, and miscellaneous items. Additionally, several documents were found, including passport pages and notebooks.
Authorities confiscated all items and transported them back to the Khlong Pong Nam Ron unit for detailed examination and to trace their origin. They then coordinated with investigators at Pong Nam Ron Police Station to proceed legally and expand efforts to identify involved individuals.
Meanwhile, sources from the area reported that in early September 2026, authorities in Pailin Province, Cambodia, ordered casino and online gambling operators in Ban Phsa Prom, Stung Kach commune, Sala Krau district—opposite the Ban Phak Kat permanent border crossing—to cease operations by 30 September.
This has led to speculation that the large quantity of items found may be linked to smuggling equipment and belongings from Cambodia through natural routes, temporarily stored at the border area in preparation for further transport into Thailand’s interior, but were intercepted and seized by authorities.
However, investigations are ongoing to determine the ownership of all equipment, their entry points, and whether they are connected to casino or online gambling businesses as reported by sources. Pong Nam Ron Police investigators are examining evidence and pursuing leads to identify those involved.