The Wang Thonglang district police chief has been transferred to an inactive post after a major gambling den in Meng Chai area was uncovered in a raid on Thursday evening.
Police officers examine a baccarat table at an illegal gambling venue in Wang Thonglang district yesterday. The raid prompted the transfer of Wang Thonglang police chief Sanhakij Bamrungsuksawas to an inactive post. Somchai Poomlard
Assistant police chief Chakthip Chaijinda, who is also the acting Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) commissioner, yesterday signed an order transferring Pol Col Sanhakij Bamrungsuksawas to the MPB operations centre.
His post will be filled by Pol Col Tawat Wongsa-nga, superintendent of Thammasala police station. The order took effect yesterday.
Pol Lt Gen Chakthip also instructed Metropolitan Police Division 7 chief Piya Tawichai to nominate a replacement Thammasala station chief.
Pol Col Sanhakij’s transfer reportedly stemmed from a crackdown on the “Number One” casino on Soi Saha Kan Pramun on Thursday, carried out by a combined force of Metropolitan Police Division 4 officers and troops.
The force found 27 baccarat tables, 1,000 packs of cards and gambling chips valued at 2.9 million baht at the scene.
They also apprehended 12 Thais, 23 Cambodians and two Myanmar nationals who allegedly worked at the casino. No gamblers were found during the raid.
Acting police chief Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, who also inspected the venue, said the raid was carried out after police received a tip-off.
He dismissed a claim reportedly made by a venue manager that a “senior figure” had given the green light for the casino to operate, saying the allegation was baseless.
Despite claims that the casino was yet to open, local residents said they had been growing increasingly suspicious about the number of vehicles coming in and out of the area, he said.
Deputy police chief Aek Angsananont said the manager had been taken in for questioning and was found to be the owner of a golf driving range in Meng Chai.
An investigation is under way to determine those who had invested in the casino, police said.
Wang Thonglang district office chief Thanita Praewanich said the casino was registered as a golf driving range under the name “Number One” in 1997.
The building was also found to have been modified without approval, she added.