Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Results in Raids and Arrests in Thailand and Singapore

Illegal Poker Game Raid in Koh Phangan

Authorities in the Koh Phangan District took action against an illicit gambling event, detaining ten foreign nationals involved in an unauthorized poker game. The local police, specifically the Tourist Police Division 5, intervened at a house commonly referred to by nearby residents as the “Golden Moon”.

The house, rented by a 36-year-old Russian man named Anton Kozko, served as the gathering point for the group. Police have charged the participants with illegal gambling activities. Kozko, identified as the organizer and the renter of the property, faces additional charges related to hosting the unlawful event.

The rental fee for the premises was approximately THB 30,000 (around US$820) per month. During the intervention, officers discovered THB 134,000 (about US$3,660) stashed in a waist bag. Suspicion by local law enforcement was aroused due to several motorbikes parked outside the residence. Officers recorded evidence of the gambling through a curtain before entering the premises.

The detainees comprised six Russians, along with nationals from Romania, Israel, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Besides the playing cards and poker chips, police also confiscated a card shuffler. It is important to highlight that under Thai law, most forms of gambling are illegal, except for official state lotteries and certain horse racing events.

Kidnapping Case Linked to Illegal Gambling in Singapore

In a separate case in Singapore, a woman of Taiwanese heritage was arrested for detaining another woman for several hours against her will. The incident stemmed from a dispute over a debt related to money borrowed and lost through illegal gambling activities.

The victim, a 49-year-old Singaporean, owed approximately SGD 25,000 (roughly US$18,700). Lin Mei, the key figure behind the kidnapping, pleaded guilty and received a 10-month prison sentence. Her accomplice, Wu Zhibing, who assisted in preparing the site of the abduction and the subsequent capture, was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Lin demanded that the victim repay SGD 200,000 (about US$154,300), believing the sale of the victim’s home for SGD 300,000 (around US$231,150) would cover the debt. When repayment was not possible, the victim was eventually released after a friend paid SGD 30,000 (approximately US$23,150) to the kidnappers. Before releasing her, Lin warned the victim against contacting law enforcement. Following her release, the victim reported the incident to the police.