A Ratchaburi resort and spa owner was arrested yesterday for his alleged involvement in the operation of a Bangkok gambling den that was raided last week.
Crime Suppression Division police apprehended 28-year-old Aekachai Ployhin, the owner of Suan Som Thip Resort and Spa, at his house in Ratchaburi.
Central Investigation Bureau chief Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan now will question him over his alleged connection with the “Number One” casino.
Mr Aekachai's arrest is part of an expanded police investigation into the casino after a combined force of Metropolitan Police Division 4 officers and troops raided its premises in Bangkok's Wang Thonglang district last Thursday.
The raid uncovered 27 baccarat tables, 1,000 packs of cards and gambling chips valued at 2.9 million baht. Authorities detained 12 Thais, 23 Cambodians and two Myanmar nationals who allegedly worked at the casino. No gamblers were found during the operation.
Wisit Satjapotnukul, who runs a golf driving range, owns the land where the casino was based and has been accused of owning the gambling business. Mr Wisit has been summoned to report to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to explain himself.
Mr Aekachai yesterday denied having anything to do with the operation of the "Number One" casino, but admitted lending 4.7 million baht to Mr Wisit around three to four months ago.
He said he was aware that Mr Wisit needed the money to operate a gambling den.
Pol Lt Gen Pongpat said Mr Aekachai will be handed over to the military to face charges of defying the NCPO's ban on gambling and illegal activities.
Pol Lt Gen Pongpat said the suspect was known to have a habit of "name-dropping". He would claim he knew local politicians and influential figures when carrying out business dealings.
Pol Lt Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, acting chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), said a probe had been ordered to determine if any police were involved with the "Number One" casino.
Wang Thonglang police station chief Pol Col Sanhakij Bamrungsuksawas was transferred to an inactive post at the MPB's operations centre following the raid.
Pol Lt Gen Chakthip said deputy MPB commissioner Pol Maj Gen Chayut Thanataweerat has been assigned to head the inquiry. The investigation will focus on the role of Metropolitan Police Division 4, which supervises Wang Thonglang station.
He said disciplinary action would be taken against any police officer found to have been involved in the casino or to have neglected his duty.
Meanwhile, a task force established to crack down on World Cup 2014 betting has arrested a total of 817 people since June 12.
Pol Maj Gen Chanthawit Ramasut, deputy MPB chief and head of the task force, said authorities seized 148,000 baht in cash, electronic funds totalling 507,000 baht, and lists of placed bets with an estimated value of 2 million baht.
