Three Norwegians arrested at a bridge club in Thailand

Magician Rune Carlsen.Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

32 bridge enthusiasts, most of them senior citizens, were arrested Wednesday in Pattaya in Thailand for having too many cards in their decks. Of those who were put in jail, three were Norwegian nationals.

The members of the bridge team were arrested under a law from 1935 which states that no player is allowed to be in possession of more than 120 playing cards. The case is being reported by  BBC ,  the newspaper VG and other newspapers and TV stations.

Gambling is forbidden in Thailand and the police clamp down on any game where they suspect that the law is being broken. Despite the fact that  no  money was found which proved that gambling was part of the game,  32 elderly participants were taken into custody.

The players were released on a bail  of  approximately 1,200 Norwegian kroner after twelve hours detention.

In addition to the Norwegains,  people from Sweden, Denmark, UK, Australia, Germany, the Netherlans and Irieland were among those arrested.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today