Police bring out the 11
suspects rounded up during the May 2 multiple casino raid.
Boonlua Chatree
Banglamung District officials raided three underground casinos,
arresting 11, seizing cash and slot machines, and creating a controversy
that would cost Pattaya’s police chief his job.
Four alleged gamblers were captured May 2 in a commercial building on Soi 17
near Thepprasit Road with five slot machines. The 108 Shop on Third Road was
also hit, as well as another building in the area.
In total, 17 slot machines, 75,000 baht and other gambling equipment was
confiscated.
Among those arrested were Suriwong Hansuck, 33, Tanongsak Lapho, 21, and
Supachai Meepo, 42.
Authorities reportedly had been aware of the machines for some time, but the
district office decided to mount the raid themselves after the Pattaya
Police failed to move. But as soon as word of the arrests broke, district
officials scrambled to save face for the police chief, who was en route to
Chiang Mai at the time, belatedly telling reporters that the police force,
in fact, was involved in the operation.
Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho took pains to stress that the
district office and Pattaya Police Station had a good working relationship
and that police officers had collaborated on the arrests.
However, Sakchai’s attempt to cover for Pattaya Police Superintendent Suwan
Cheaonawinthawat didn’t sway his Royal Thai Police superiors, who quickly
removed him from office.