PATTAYA, Thailand – Chonburi Immigration officials, along with Pattaya Tourist Police, raided an unnumbered house in Soi Thung Klom–Tan Mhan 5/1, Nongprue Subdistrict, East Pattaya, following complaints from residents about foreigners blocking roads and leaving trash in the neighborhood, August 26. The house was being operated as an illegal poker den, hosted by Chinese and Korean nationals.
Nine individuals—five Chinese men, three Korean men, and one Korean woman—were detained after attempting to flee. Authorities seized multiple poker tables, Thai cash, around 1 million baht in chips, several decks of cards, and a money-counting machine. The suspects were taken to Chonburi Immigration for questioning.
Investigations revealed that Mr. Hao Tang, 35, a Chinese national; Mr. Ji Hwan Lee, 35, and Ms. Youngyoung Kim, 31, both Korean nationals, admitted to organizing the poker games. They were charged with “organizing gambling for profit in violation of the law,” while Hao Tang also faced an additional charge for overstaying in Thailand. The remaining suspects were charged with “illegal gambling for profit” and handed over to Nongprue Police Station for further legal proceedings.
