Pattaya, Chonburi – January 23, 2026 – District officials and police raided an underground hi-lo gambling den in the Nongprue sub-district of Banglamung, on the evening of January 22nd, apprehending 31 individuals, including the operator, who attributed the bust to forgetting to make offerings to local spirits.
At approximately 7:06 p.m. on January 22nd, 2026, Mr. Anusak Piriyamorn, District Chief of Banglamung, ordered deputy district chiefs Mr. Phichan Non Thawisuk and Mr. Natthawat Sophonsewasil, along with district administration officers and police, to storm the location.
The gambling operation was discovered inside an unmarked house situated in the middle of a rented plot of land in Soi Phatthanakan 4. Surrounded by neighboring residential homes, the site had been operating openly despite the legal risks.
Upon entry, officers found around 30 gamblers and one dealer actively shaking dice for players to bet on the outcome, with loud cheering creating a disturbance for nearby residents. The interior featured air conditioning for comfort, a professional-style display screen showing dice results, scoreboards, dice trays, covers, three CCTV cameras recording the action, and other gambling paraphernalia.
Most gamblers were caught off guard, though a few attempted to flee through the house in the ensuing chaos. Authorities pursued and successfully detained everyone present, totaling 31 people.
During the raid, one female gambler, approximately 50 years old, claimed she was experiencing a heart condition flare-up, causing further disruption. Officials coordinated with volunteer rescue workers to urgently transport her to a hospital.
After securing the scene, officers questioned the dealer, who admitted the den had been running for about one week. When asked why the raid occurred that day, the dealer reportedly stated that the group had forgotten to make ritual offerings to the local spirits and land guardians. According to the dealer, this neglect meant the protective spirits did not shield them, leading directly to their arrest. He focused on this aspect versus apologizing or taking full accountability for running an illegal gambling operation.
The Banglamung district administration coordinated with officers from the Nongprue Police Station to join the operation. All 31 suspects, along with seized evidence, including cash, gambling equipment, dice-related items, display screens, and CCTV units, were taken to Nong Prue Police Station for further legal processing.
