Thai authorities recently dismantled a sophisticated criminal operation at the eight-storey Antai Holiday Hotel in Pattaya, Chon Buri province. The raid, conducted at 11:30 p.m. on June 16, 2025, uncovered both an illegal gambling den and a cybercrime ring specializing in ransomware attacks.
Details of the Operation
• Location: Antai Holiday Hotel, Pattaya, Chon Buri
• Criminal Activities:
• Second floor: Gambling den with poker tables, cash chips, and about 20 foreign gamblers (mainly Chinese, with Vietnamese, Singaporean, Cambodian, and Myanmar nationals).
• Eighth floor: Ransomware operation run by six Chinese nationals who were distributing malicious links to Chinese companies to infect their systems with ransomware.
• Evidence Seized: Nine laptops and 15 mobile devices were confiscated from the suspects involved in the ransomware scheme.
Arrests and Charges
• At least 20 foreigners were arrested, most of them Chinese, with others from Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
• The suspects face charges including illegal gambling, immigration violations, and cybercrime.
• Those convicted will be deported and permanently barred from re-entering Thailand.
Impact and Context
• The raid shocked other hotel guests, many of whom were unaware of the criminal activities occurring in the same building.
• The Antai Holiday Hotel has since stopped accepting reservations, highlighting the seriousness of the investigation.
• This case underscores the growing convergence of cybercrime with traditional organized crime, such as gambling and money laundering, making law enforcement efforts increasingly complex.
Investigation Status
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to unravel the full extent of the gang’s operations and seeking further evidence.
