Police find no gamblers in raids on two suspected dens in Bangkok
Police inspected two residential buildings in Bangkok’s Don Muang and Pinklao districts on Tuesday after receiving a tip-off that they may house gambling dens, deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai said on Wednesday.
“Officials inspected an apartment building called Phumi or Fin House on Songprapha Road in Don Muang district. This building rents out rooms on a daily basis,” he said. “There they found four pinball machines, one arcade game, a gambling table with deck of cards for Dragon Tiger game and a Cambodian national, but no gamblers.”
The owner, Amnuay Kiatdonmuang, 65, has reportedly said he used to run a gambling den in the building but after being arrested, he decided to turn it into a guest house.
Amnuay was charged with hiring and harbouring an illegal immigrant, running a gambling operation and organising activities that may spread Covid-19.
“He was taken to the Don Muang Police Station, where he will be detained for 12 days under court order as investigation is not yet complete,” Piya said.
Meanwhile, police raided a six-storey condominium building in Pinklao’s Soi Chaophraya Hospital. This venue came into police focus after a recent Covid-19 patient reportedly admitted to going there for gambling.
“Officials, however, found no gambling equipment or gamblers on the premises. The owner has also denied being involved in any gambling operations,” the deputy police chief said.
Piya has also urged people who may have information about gambling dens in Bangkok and its perimeter to contact police immediately in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.