Pattaya, Chonburi-
The Pattaya Police Chief sat down with The Pattaya News and other local media last night and revealed more data and information following yesterday’s raid on a group of people gambling illegally in the Pattaya area.
Piset Poonsarp, the Pattaya Police Chief and newly in role, said that all twenty one people arrested had tested negative for their first Covid19 test. They remained detained and isolated facing multiple charges relating to the incident.
Piset said the group also had gambling assets circulating in the amount of seven million baht in total that were being bet on in the form of chips. Additionally, 400,000 baht in cash was found in a safe at the condo where the raid took place. Piset dismissed criticism online from some claiming this was a small group of friends playing together and stated this was a highly organized setup.
The individuals arrested were fourteen Chinese nationals, five Thai Nationals, one Singaporean and one Cambodian. Several members of the group were also on overstay and the Cambodian had illegally entered Thailand.
The group faces numerous charges besides illegal gambling. They also face draconian penalties under the Emergency Decree law, the Communicable Disease Act, rules against gatherings due to Covid-19 and some will face charges for having illegally imported bottles of Chinese liquor that were found at the scene. Some will also face charges and deportation for overstay and illegal entry to the Kingdom.
Piset stated that gatherings like this put all of Pattaya at risk as the city was currently trying to control a cluster of Covid-19 infections in Chonburi that has essentially brought the city to a standstill. He encouraged people to simply stay at home for a short period while the situation is dealt with and to follow Covid19 precautions like mask wearing and social distancing.
