Secret Casino Den Found Inside Luxury Hotel in Samut Prakan

Thailand Hotel News – Crime: A dramatic raid on a luxury hotel in Samut Prakan has exposed a massive illegal gambling operation that authorities say had already generated tens of millions of baht in circulation within only a few days of opening. The discovery has also intensified scrutiny on local police officers after questions emerged over how such a large-scale operation could function unnoticed inside a hotel property.

The operation took place at the Chalermwong Hotel located in Soi Suk Sawat 80 in Pak Khlong Bang Pla Kod Subdistrict, Phra Samut Chedi District. Officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, together with local district authorities and police officers, stormed the fourth floor of the building after receiving complaints from residents in the area. During the raid, officers discovered dozens of gamblers actively participating in illegal gaming activities. This Thailand Hotel News – Crime report highlights how the hotel had allegedly been transformed into a secret gambling hub operating behind tightly controlled access points.

Authorities arrested a total of 63 individuals connected to the gambling den. Among them were organizers, dealers, and gamblers who had reportedly gathered to play “Thua,” a traditional dice-based gambling game. Investigators also confiscated gambling chips valued at more than 8 million baht along with large amounts of cash found scattered across gambling tables.

Even more alarming for authorities was the reported financial scale of the operation. Investigators believe the illegal casino generated a daily circulation exceeding 43 million baht despite only operating for around three days. The discovery raised concerns over whether organized criminal networks were involved in financing or managing the venue.

Officials additionally seized several firearms and knives during the operation, adding another dangerous dimension to the case. Security officers conducting the raid described the atmosphere inside the hotel as heavily guarded and professionally organized, with rooms allegedly modified to support continuous gambling activities away from public view.

Phra Samut Chedi Police Station later issued a clarification stating that officers had no prior knowledge of the gambling operation before complaints were received. According to police representatives, the raid itself was jointly coordinated between district officials, investigators from the Department of Provincial Administration, and local law enforcement units once evidence was gathered.

However, public pressure has continued to build following reports that as many as five senior police officers from the local station could face transfers pending further investigation. Critics have questioned how such a large operation involving millions of baht, dozens of participants, and weapons could operate inside a hotel property without attracting earlier attention from authorities.

The incident has once again placed Thailand’s long-running underground gambling problem under the spotlight, especially involving hotel properties that can easily be converted into concealed entertainment venues. Authorities say additional investigations are underway to identify financiers, organizers, and any possible officials connected to the operation. Police have also pledged to intensify future crackdowns on illegal gambling establishments throughout the district to prevent similar incidents from emerging again.

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