Brits, Aussies and Americans arrested in gambling den in 'Sin City' Pattaya

Police arrested two Brits at a suspected gambling den in Pattaya, Thailand.

Authorities descended on the house in the Bang Lamung District and found nine people - including Brits, Aussies, and Americans - playing poker on the premises on October 9 evening.

Police Colonel Navin Thirawit, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, said the raid was conducted following a tip-off from a local resident who suspected the place of being an underground gambling house.

He said: ‘Police waited for an opportune moment before storming into the premises. There were nine foreigners, both Europeans and Asians, who were happily playing cards, a Thai card dealer, and a maid serving food.'

Cops detained three South Koreans, two Americans, two Australians, two British nationals, and the Thai dealer. They also seized as evidence gambling tables, chairs, chips used in place of cash, 37 decks of cards, and some cash.

The suspects and confiscated items were turned over to the inquiry officer for investigation.

Most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand under the country's Gambling Act of 1935.

Poker, and other games like slot machines and baccarat, fall under the law's 'List A' and are prohibited.

Organisers of List A games may be punished with detention between three months and three years, and a fine ranging from 500 to 5,000 baht.

While players may be either jailed for up to three years, fined up to 5,000 baht, or both.

Former fishing village Pattaya became popular with American troops on 'rest and relaxation' breaks in the 1960s when the U.S. military had bases in Thailand. In the ensuing years, the coastal resort spawned into a semi-barbarous sex-tourism hellscape.

Embarrassed officials have made progress in gentrifying the region with family tourism projects but a ravenous nightlife industry and corrupt police have hampered their efforts, with undesirables from all nations still attracted to the seedy city.