Arrests were made and
gambling paraphernalia confiscated from an illegal casino being set up in
the 9 Karat Condo on Soi Arunothai 2.
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police raided a central Pattaya jewelry store, arresting 26
people after discovering a casino hidden behind steel doors.
The shop in the 9 Karat Condo on Soi Arunothai 2 was a front for the illegal
gambling den, police said. Officers arrested owner Chaiya Saeliew, 52, four
Thais and 21 Burmese employees who Chaiya said were being trained as dealers
and game runners.
Police confiscated 10 casino tables, cards, assorted equipment, computers
and chips in denominations from 50 baht to 10,000 baht.
Police said Chaiya admitted to owning the casino, but said it was not
operational yet. Employees were still being trained and equipment still had
yet to be brought in from the Cambodian border region.