CHONBURI, THAILAND – Undercover police posing as anglers raided an illegal gambling operation at the Lucky Fishing Pond in Banglamung on the night of October 23, 2025, arresting 13 people and seizing cash and gaming equipment.
Undercover operation at private pond
District chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon ordered the covert operation after residents reported large gatherings and suspected gambling at the pond in Moo 4. Officers entered the site disguised as recreational anglers and observed players conducting dice games before moving in at a prearranged signal.
The raid began at 20:06 and caught the group off guard, with the police detaining 13 participants, including a 49-year-old man identified as the alleged ringleader, known only as Mr. Nirand. All suspects were taken to Huai Yai Police Station to face charges.
Evidence seized
Authorities confiscated 7,740 baht in cash and a number of items related to the Hi‑Lo dice game, including a game ledger, a dice tray, a cover cup, several dice and a mobile phone that had reportedly been used to record gameplay.
Police documented the scene and transported the evidence to the local station where legal proceedings were initiated against the suspects.
Political backdrop influences enforcement
The raid occurred just 24 hours after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revoked an earlier government decision that had treated certain card games, such as poker, as sporting activities. The reversal effectively reclassified those games as illegal and signalled a tougher national stance on gambling.
Local authorities in Chonburi implemented the renewed policy immediately, saying the operation was part of an intensified effort to crack down on illegal gaming following the change in government guidance.
How the Hi‑Lo game worked
The game played at the pond was Hi‑Lo, a simple dice betting game in which players wager whether the next roll will be higher or lower than the previous one. Its simplicity and quick rounds make it a common choice for informal gambling sessions, officials said.
Organisers used the fishing pond as a cover, presenting the gathering as routine angling activity while participants gambled covertly. That disguise proved insufficient against the undercover team.
Legal consequences and wider message
In Thailand, illegal gambling carries fines and potential prison sentences, and those arrested now face formal charges. The swift action in Banglamung is being presented by local authorities as a clear warning to other operators that illicit gambling will not be tolerated.
The raid underscores how rapidly enforcement can follow policy shifts and highlights the likelihood of further operations in the region as authorities step up surveillance and unorthodox tactics to enforce the gambling ban.