58 Arrested on Illegal Gambling Boat in Thailand

Police commandos tracked down the Ukranian-registered vessel using helicopters and speed boats after a tip-off to Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's office and a month-long investigation.

About $US250,000 in cash and $US50,000 in chips were seized, while the 58 people arrested have been charged with illegal gambling.

The AFP news agency says the boat had been leaving from Samut Prakan pier just outside Bangkok for weekend jaunts to international waters to escape Thailand's strict gambling laws.