26 Chinese tourists arrested for illegal gambling in Thai hotel raid

Acting on a tip-off, the immigration police raided the eighth and ninth floors of IWish hotel and found them gambling at an illegal casino there, the Nation Thailand reported.

They said the casino had been operating for a long time with the two floors converted into an illegal gambling den mainly catering to Chinese tourists and with key cards to gain access.

They seized six baccarat tables, six slot machines, 100 packs of cards, 3.5 million baht (US$99,000) in cash and chips representing tens of millions of baht, according to the Bangkok Post.

Gambling is illegal in that country and carries a $1,000 fine and a year’s imprisonment.

Thailand has recently stepped up efforts to attract tourists from China, which used to be its biggest market before Covid, including by waiving visas for them, but tourism industry insiders are worried this could lead to increasing crime.