Indian casino operator and politicians linked to illegal gambling den, bribes in Thailand
- A prominent Indian casino junket operator, his aide and some politicians were among the 93 suspects snared, according to Indian media
- Thai police are also investigating claims that government officials had known about the casino’s existence but turned a blind eye after taking bribes
Thai police this week arrested more than 80 Indian tourists during a raid on an illegal casino operating in the conference hall of a luxury hotel in Pattaya.
Police in the eastern province of Chonburi said they swooped in on the establishment following a tip-off from the public that the venue was being used as a gambling den.
Chonburi police chief Kampol Leelapraphaporn said 93 suspects – 83 Indians, six Thais and four Myanmar nationals – were collared in the predawn operation on Monday.
Several gambling tables, chips and cards, CCTV cameras, smartphones and wads of Indian currency were also seized. Police believe millions of rupees were circulated in the casino, which prevented hotel staff from entering the room.
A Thai suspect told police she ran the gambling business at the rented facility that charged the Indian gamblers 50,000 baht (US$1,460) each for their lodging, food, flights and transport, the Bangkok Post reported.