Gamblers arrested, police investigated for ‘negligence’ in Bang Chan

Not a lockdown, not a global pandemic, not a series of recent arrests will slow down the urge for some gamblers to gamble. Now officials from the Department of Provincial Administration in Bang Chan, north-east of Bangkok’s city centre, have raided more illegal casinos with some senior police in the area being side-lined to inactive posts.

There were recent raids and arrests in the area back on 22 April. Bang Chan police reported the arrest of 14 gamblers “in violation of the emergency decree”. 20 slot machines were also seized from 3 locations last Wednesday. A total of 47 gamblers have now been arrested in Bang Chan over recent weeks. Senior police are investigating whether there has been “negligence” in the surveillance of gamblers in the area.

The arrests of the 47 gamblers took place on 22 April and were conducted by the Children and Women Protection Sub-division. The suspects were were allegedly gambling at a snooker table in Saphan Sung District. On that occasion 49,300 baht in cash was seized.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner of Division 4 and 5, and the Bang Chan Police Station has also ordered an investigation whether there has been “intentional neglect in performing one’s duty”.

Since then, a Bangkok Metropolitan Police chief has been transferred. Pol Maj Gen Theerapong Wongratpitak, the chief of Division 4, was transferred to “a dormant post” while officials continue their investigation.

Officials have now uncovered 3 illegal “casinos” (fancy term for gambling dens) with slot machines in the area, the same area under the jurisdiction of the Bang Chan Police.

Chakthip Chaijinda, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police says there are clear measures to stop and control illegal gambling in all areas.

“If there is a mistake or negligence in performing the duty to keep such measures intact there will be punishments to the officials involved…. this is the last thing someone should do is go gambling while others in the nation are living in fear of the virus, and some are struggling to find food for their families.”

SOURCE: Thai Residents