“Interior Minister 4” led the special operations team of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA S.W.A.T.) to raid an illegal gambling den in the middle of the Red Soil flats, arresting 53 people—8 dealers and 45 gamblers. Nearly 1 million baht in cash and chips were seized, along with gambling equipment and account books. Initially, no one admitted ownership of the den. Authorities plan to expand the investigation into financial channels.
At 18:30 on 23 Sept 2023 GMT+7, Mr. Worasit Liangprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior; Mr. Chaiyachana Dedcho, Member of Parliament from the Democrat Party; Mr. Pitakdech Dedcho, Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Narcotics Control Commission of the House of Representatives; Mr. Thanayot Thimsuwan, Chairman of the House Administration Commission; Mr. Narucha Kosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; Mr. Ronarong Tipsiri, Deputy Director-General of DOPA; Police Sub-Lieutenant Singhkham Kamyod, Director of the Investigation and Legal Affairs Office; and Mr. Ruanglak Ruangyangmee, Director of the Volunteer Defense Command Office,
led the DOPA S.W.A.T. team alongside members of the Volunteer Defense Command (VDC), together with the Anti-Money Laundering Commission and the House Administration Commission of the House of Representatives, to raid an illegal gambling den operating inside the Red Soil flats, located in Ruam Raksa Alley on Prachasongkroh Road, Din Daeng Subdistrict and District, Bangkok.
They found a large hall with over 50 gamblers engrossed in playing high-tech Hi-Lo. When authorities arrived, many tried to flee, but all were detained: 8 dealers and 45 gamblers, including 22 men and 23 women. Among the organizers were 2 Cambodian nationals. No one claimed ownership of the den. Seized evidence included about 350,000 baht in cash, approximately 635,000 baht in chips, trays and equipment for high-tech Hi-Lo, account books showing money flow, and extensive gambling paraphernalia.
The raid followed complaints from residents of Din Daeng district reporting severe disturbances caused by a large illegal gambling den openly operating with loud noise and serving as a hub for corrupting the public. The den was hidden within the Red Soil flats on Prachasongkroh Road, Din Daeng district, Bangkok. Provincial administration officers conducted surveillance, confirming that high-tech Hi-Lo and horse racing betting machines were being operated without fear of legal consequences. Authorities then quickly surrounded and raided the den to cut off escape routes and regain control immediately.
Authorities recorded the arrests and charged all suspects with "organizing gambling activities" and "participating in gambling." The suspects, along with seized evidence, were handed over to Din Daeng Police Station for full prosecution under the law. Officials also plan to extend the investigation into money laundering laws to identify all involved parties.