The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on December 28 raided a gambling den in Bangkok’s Chaeng Wattana area and arrested 89 alleged gamblers.

CIB chief Police Lieutenant-General Torsak Sukwimol said: “The CIB has been working with Thung Song Hong police after we received a tip-off that a building in Chaeng Wattana Soi 14 in Bangkok’s Thung Song Hong subdistrict was being used as a gambling den.

“At the scene, officials arrested 89 suspected gamblers – 75 Thais and 14 foreigners – and confiscated four gambling tables and several units of gambling equipment.”

The detainees were charged with gambling and violating the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations BE2548, which prohibits unauthorised gathering in a crowded space.

Torsak said: “Although they were wearing face masks, the crowded environment might have put them at risk of contracting and spreading Covid-19.

“Officials checked their temperature before taking them into detention, and have contacted the Bangkok public health office to perform detailed testing.”

He added that the building had been used as a gambling den in the past and had been ordered to shut down, but the gamblers had returned and reopened the place.

THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK