Thai Police Arrest 11 in Illegal Online Baccarat Casino

Approximately 50 officers with the Crime Suppression Division of the Thai Police raided the offices of HKandT (TV and Film) Production on November 21st, arresting 11 people in their effort to crack down on illegal online gambling operations. The company opened their offices on the 12th floor of the Rasa Tower II Building in Soi Phaholyothin 19. The building is a mere 40 meters from the Thai Crime Suppression Division Headquarters.

The raid occurred at 10:30 am and resulted in the arrest of 11 people. The arrest included 2 foreigners, 33-year-old Malaysian Ang Kong Yong and 29-year-old Hong Kong native Than Yiu Hunk, and their nine Thai accomplices, 4 men and 5 women.

Those arrested have all been charged with illegal broadcast of online baccarat games via webcam on www.ok2628.com. The raid also resulted in the confiscation of 5 TV sets, 2 closed-circuit cameras, 4 baccarat tables, and 16 computers. The office and equipment were leased or owned by 37-year-old Thai Chatduan Maneesawangwong.

The games attracted gamblers worldwide and led to bets totaling 10 million Baht in the 24 hour gambling operations.

The raid was led by Metropolitan Police Investigation Center Superintendent, Colonel Phirapong Wongsaman, following a tip which led to an undercover investigation. Phirapong believes the group lured rich customers in with offers of credit to play with.

Sunday, December 03, 2006
Danny McCain