The police commander of Thailand’s eastern province of Chon Buri has been abruptly removed from his post for alleged gross negligence in allowing illegal gambling dens to operate, which are being blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak in the province.

Pol Maj-Gen Prakarn Prachong was transferred to an inactive post at the operations centre of the Royal Thai Police, pending an investigation, by order of the national police chief, Pol Gen Suwat Jaengyodsook, after a probe, conducted by the police inspector-general, Pol Gen Wissanu Prasartthong-osot, confirmed the presence of illegal gambling dens.

Pol Maj-Gen Thiti Saengsuwan, the deputy commissioner of Region 2 Provincial Police Bureau, is to replace Prakarn as the acting provincial police commander.

Illegal gambling activities have been blamed for the spread of COVID-19 in Chon Buri, particularly in the Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts, raising the number of infections in the province to 202 in just a few days.

Ten locations in Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts have been declared high-risk zones. These include several markets, food shops and the Boonthavorn shops, which sell construction materials and ceramic ware.

Earlier, the police chief of Rayong province was also moved to an inactive post after it was discovered that COVID-19 infections originated from an illegal gambling den.