Police Bust Tiger-Dragon Gambling Den at Popular Resort, Seize Over 5.5 Million Baht in Chips
Police raided an illegal Tiger-Dragon gambling operation at a Rayong resort on May 24, arresting 14 people and seizing over 5.5 million baht in chips and gambling equipment.
On May 24, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Aphichan Wattanawarangkul, commander of the Rayong Provincial Police Crime Suppression Division, and Lieutenant Colonel Chaiyapong Saengphongchai, commander of the Nikhom Phatthana Police Station, led a multi-unit task force in a covert raid on a resort in Mabrakhao subdistrict, Nikhom Phatthana district, Rayong province. Intelligence indicated an illegal Tiger-Dragon gambling operation was running in the resort's conference room.
Officers quietly surrounded the area before launching a surprise raid while gamblers were actively placing bets. When officers burst through the door, the suspects were caught off guard—some scrambled from tables attempting to escape while others froze in place. Gambling chips and cards scattered across tables as officers swiftly secured the scene.
The raid resulted in 14 arrests: 12 Thai nationals and 2 Cambodian nationals. Seized items included gambling chips valued at 5,572,020 baht, over 100,000 baht in cash, 133 decks of playing cards, and complete gambling equipment.
Interrogation revealed the two Cambodian suspects illegally entered Thailand through a natural border crossing near Ban Laem in Chanthaburi province before being hired as dealers. Thai gamblers face charges of unlicensed gambling, while the Cambodian nationals face charges of illegal entry and unlicensed gambling operation. All suspects were handed over to Nikhom Phatthana Police Station for further legal proceedings.