Slot machine stash discovered in Phuket Town

PHUKET: Police are hunting for the owner of 40 illegal slot machines, worth about 2 million baht, which were discovered in Phuket yesterday.

The gambling devices were found packed into a small rental house on Yaowarat Road by the owner of the rental property, who police declined to name.

“The owner of the property said that a Myanmar woman had rented the place for January and February – paying the full sum in advance. However, she did not pay the rent for March, so the owner went to investigate,” said Lt Col Somsak Thongkliang of the Phuket City Police.

“She went to the property and saw the machines through the window, and quickly notified police.”

Because there was no rental agreement, the identity of the Myanmar woman remains unknown, police said.

“We believe that the woman was working for some businessmen who hired her to hide the slot machines,” Lt Col Somsak told the Phuket Gazette.

“We will find the Myanmar woman and also start questioning neighbors to see what we can find out about this stash.”

The machines were seized and taken to Phuket City Police station as evidence, confirmed Col Somsak.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong