The actual headline in the local press read “Aussie gambling-ring busted”.

The local police have their hands full, what with all the murders, rapes and general mayhem that is a feature of life in this fine city; not to mention the ongoing vigorous campaign against those not wearing helmets on a motorbike, which is all about increasing road safety and nothing to do with funds collection.

Even so, organised gambling syndicates can bring destitution and despair to those who unwittingly fall under their control, so good to see that the police are taking action against the evil mobsters who run these organisations.

Reading the article beneath the headline, we discover that seven Australian nationals were involved in this filthy racket. Apparently they were sat at home at the ungodly hour of 1730 in the afternoon, drinking beer and listening to music. The fiends. The police raided the joint and discovered a set of playing cards, 100 baht in cash, a piece of cloth upon which cards could be played, 50 red chips, 20 blue chips, and 20 yellow chips. Clear indication of illicit gambling with the 100 baht probably being the kitty which would be divided up later based upon the numbers of chips of different colours held by each player. Imagine the destitution for the losers? Pitiful.

We can only be thankful that the police stepped in and got these scum off our streets, otherwise what would they do next? 200 baht kitty? Purple chips? We can only shudder to think of the possible consequences.

String ‘em up I say.