BEFORE POLICE arrived to investigate online gambling websites having without let or fear mounted a bus advertising campaign in Chiang Rai city, all the drivers of large and small four-wheel buses plus tuk-tuks had already removed the posters, Naewna newspaper said late last night (Mar. 23).
Pol. Lt. Col. Chantarit Laophairojcharee, deputy chief for crime suppression at Chiang Rai city police station, and his team went to Chiang Rai Provincial Bus Terminal No. 1 after the daring bus advertising campaign by illegal gambling websites led to a lot of residents complaining upon reading about it in various media.
The police team found that all the big and small four-wheel buses and tuk-tuks, or auto rickshaws, had already removed the ad posters from their vehicles before they arrived. The drivers had put them away to either throw or destroy them later.
The drivers told police they were paid 200 baht a month for each poster attached to their vehicle and that they did not know these posters were advertising online gambling websites because they only show a man holding a football with the text being in English which they cannot read.
Upon finding out what the ad was all about they all removed the offending posters.
Pol. Lt. Col. Chantarit said the police was not complacent about this gambling advertising campaign with his station chief having ordered an inspection to find out if it was true.
As the drivers did not know the posters were advertising online gambling websites they were given a warning but legal action will be taken if they violate the law again.
The penalty for posting gambling posters is two years imprisonment and a fine and drivers should not commit this offence just for a few hundred baht, he added.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Chiang Rai city police team inspecting four-wheel buses that no longer have gambling website posters attached. Photos: Naewna
Insert: A four-wheel bus sporting a poster promoting Jun88 gambling website before police arrived. Photo: Naewna
Also read: Online gambling websites mount bus advertising in Chiang Rai
Srettha defends Chada over alleged links with casino owner
2024 budget bill sails through House
Govt MPs dismiss latest coalition move against budget bill
Online gambling websites mount bus advertising in Chiang Rai
Chinese buying trends still strongly boost residential market: Savills Thailand
PATA tourism careers forum flags the perils and promises awaiting Gen Z
Feature: Thai air force’s fighter choices – why pay more?
