AS A police officer who was among 32 gamblers arrested during a raid on a Phuket gambling den soon after midnight last night (Apr. 6) still refuses to give a statement the island province’s Police Chief has ordered his superior to investigate the facts, Naewna newspaper said.
A team from Phuket City police station led by Pol. Col. Prathueng Pholmana had at 12.30 a.m. raided a three-storey building in the city centre on Chanacharoen road after finding out that a big gambling den was being run there.
Altogether 32 gamblers, both men and women, were arrested and several items seized with it later being discovered that one of the gamblers is a police lieutenant colonel attached to Provincial Police Region 8 as an inspector.
However as this police officer refuses to give a statement to police investigators Phuket Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum has informed his direct superior and ordered Phuket City police station to send him a letter to immediately check the facts and this is underway.
Seized in the raid were two round gambling tables, signs stating the rules, 14 opened playing card decks, five unopened ones and cash with 1,700 baht being in Thai currency among other items.
They have been charged with illegally gambling with the first suspect slapped with an additional charge of organising gambling without permission.
All but the 18th suspect have confessed with this suspect refusing to give a statement.
CAPTION:
Gambling suspects being taken to Phuket City police station. Photo: Naewna
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