On Thursday evening, local law enforcement raided the underground facility but the only person detained was an elderly man, who just couldn’t run away.
Unlike many gaming dens uncovered by the police in Thailand, this venue has been well-organized and furnished like a real casino, as evident by the photos printed by the authorities. They have been accompanied by Royal Thai Army soldiers in the 25th Army Circle. This is a division stationed in Phuket, the largest island and province of Thailand.
The illegal gaming facility was at a building situated in Division 3 in the rear of the Phuket Villa Kathu housing estate. According to him, nevertheless, gamblers immediately fled the scene right before the arrival of the law enforcement.
Because of this, no arrests are created, with one strange exception — that a 72-year-old man who was the “gaming manager”. The man, called Somchai “Jeap” Onpanyasin, was the sole person in custody only because he couldn’t run off from the police. US$263) in cash were seized in the place.
Will Thailand Permit Gambling?
Phuket isn’t merely a Thai province, but it is also among the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The island is packed with hotels and beachfront hotels, restaurants, clubs, and markets. Betting , nevertheless, is banned from the country and at the exact same time, it is extremely widespread among locals. Thousands of Thai gamblers travel to the local Cambodian city of Poipet, which is situated just on the opposite side of the edge and offers them legal casino gambling and betting.
Thousands of other locals, on the other hand, prefer gaming in prohibited casinos, established temporarily across Phuket. This week’s raid, for instance, may haven’t been particularly successful but it uncovered that the gambling den has been put up for the game “Eighty-Nine”. This is a traditional card game, which is a favorite among the Thais and, needless to say, it is illegal by law.
In fact, virtually all kinds of gambling are banned from the country, with only bets on horse races and the lottery allowed. Still, gambling remains a massive part of local culture and lifestyle, which is the reason why governments have thought legalizing casinos. There have been several efforts for thinking up a new law that would eliminate the prohibition set from the Gambling Act 1935.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra intended to legalize a casino in Pattaya however, the 2006 coup put a stop to the plans. In 2016, senior government officials have voiced their approval of introducing legal agencies in the country. No additional measures have already been made, nevertheless. Many politicians have said that legalizing casinos could only bring about tax revenues and would have a negative influence on the market or the local communities, as prohibited gaming is already widespread. For the time being, casinos and gambling remain illegal.
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