PHUKET: Police encountered annoyed Tiger Group Legal Counsel Thamrongsak Boonrak when they investigated claims by a maverick MP yesterday that a huge illegal casino was operating in Patong.
''We had to investigate as soon as we heard the claims by MP Chuvit Kamolvisit,'' said Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, superintendent of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong.
The colonel went with officers 30 minutes after the news broke and surprised patrons at Tiger outlets in Patong's famous tourist walking street, Soi Bangla, and Soi Sansabai, where Tiger runs the Bangkok Residence hotel.
There they encountered Thamrongsak Boonrak, legal counsel for the Tiger Group, who had a message for Khun Chuvit: ''Why do you not take responsibility for the things you say?
''We are happy for you to come to Phuket to look at what happens here. There's a 100 million baht a day casino operating here, you say. Strange that you're the only one who knows anything about it.''
Colonel Arayapan said that Patong police had a pretty good idea of what went on in their area and the casino was news to them, too.
Khun Thamrongsak added: ''We've yet to complete the second and third floors of the Tiger Live Band building in Soi Bangla, so it's difficult to imagine a gambling den there.
''Our customers in the bars on the ground floor were shocked when police arrived today. Khun Chuvit really should control his mouth.''
The police found nothing suspicious at any of the Tiger outlets and returned to the Kathu station.
Khun Chuvit also alleged in Parliament yesterday that Phuket was in the grip of a Russian gang colluding with police and Immigration on two giant casinos, but based on yesterday's outcome, Khun Chuvit may have to visit Phuket in person to point out where they are.
The large landmark Tiger Live Band, with a disco on the second floor and rooms for staff and guests on the third, is expected to open ''in two or three months,'' Khun Thamrongsak said yesterday.
''We had to investigate as soon as we heard the claims by MP Chuvit Kamolvisit,'' said Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, superintendent of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong.
The colonel went with officers 30 minutes after the news broke and surprised patrons at Tiger outlets in Patong's famous tourist walking street, Soi Bangla, and Soi Sansabai, where Tiger runs the Bangkok Residence hotel.
There they encountered Thamrongsak Boonrak, legal counsel for the Tiger Group, who had a message for Khun Chuvit: ''Why do you not take responsibility for the things you say?
''We are happy for you to come to Phuket to look at what happens here. There's a 100 million baht a day casino operating here, you say. Strange that you're the only one who knows anything about it.''
Colonel Arayapan said that Patong police had a pretty good idea of what went on in their area and the casino was news to them, too.
Khun Thamrongsak added: ''We've yet to complete the second and third floors of the Tiger Live Band building in Soi Bangla, so it's difficult to imagine a gambling den there.
''Our customers in the bars on the ground floor were shocked when police arrived today. Khun Chuvit really should control his mouth.''
The police found nothing suspicious at any of the Tiger outlets and returned to the Kathu station.
Khun Chuvit also alleged in Parliament yesterday that Phuket was in the grip of a Russian gang colluding with police and Immigration on two giant casinos, but based on yesterday's outcome, Khun Chuvit may have to visit Phuket in person to point out where they are.
The large landmark Tiger Live Band, with a disco on the second floor and rooms for staff and guests on the third, is expected to open ''in two or three months,'' Khun Thamrongsak said yesterday.
They should be fined for building such a gaudy monstrosity. It looks like something that should be in a theme park
Posted by rich on March 30, 2012 10:22