The Thai government outlaws almost all forms of gambling. However, illegal gambling operations continue to thrive. Anti-gambling activists, whistleblowers, and other concerned parties have recently shifted the blame to corrupt government officials and law enforcement personnel. According to them, suspected law enforcement officers are involved in the illegal operation of gambling networks and websites. In response to the allegations, Thailand’s administration and police have launched a multi-pronged investigation and response.
The Whistleblower’s Wind
The Thai Police are on high alert as a result of disturbing reports about Thai online casinos and their links to high-ranking but corrupt members of the force. In one case, TV actress Arisara Thongborisut sparked an investigation into “macau888,” a Thai gambling site, after making several accusations. According to media reports, the online gambling site is run by four siblings, one of whom is her ex-lover, Benz Daemon. The investigations also highlighted that two senior police officers were part of the syndicate behind the illegal betting platform. According to The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, 46 people have been arrested and several assets have been seized in connection with the case.
The exposé compelled another media outlier, Chuvit Kamolvisit, to delve deeper into Thailand’s online gambling industry. According to Mr. Kamolvisit, macau888 had a capital of around $160 million. However, the enormous sum is nothing in comparison to the amount circulated by other illegal gambling sites. The media personality believes that “Inspector Sua” and “General Jor,” two senior law enforcement officers, run a larger online gambling site worth approximately 10 billion baht.
Mr. Kamolvisit also believes that the larger site is aided by a network that conceals its activities behind legal firms and cooperatives. Parlor Lalisa, one of its businesses, was recently raided for unlicensed entertainment ventures.
A Call To Action from Activists
Reports on possible police involvement in running illegal gambling operations have prompted activists to take action in order to combat the malignant illegal gambling problem. When exposing the depths of the decadence, Mr. Chuvit Kamolvisit urged the police to take action against “Inspector Sua” and “General Jor” as soon as possible.
Achariya Ruangrattanapong, a criminal investigation activist, made a dramatic appearance at the Royal Thai Police headquarters a few days later. The activist accused a number of officers, including a former senior police officer, of being members of the gang that runs online gambling websites in Thailand. Ruangrattanapong carried a banner with the names of 16 of the 100 police officers he claimed were involved in illegal online gambling. The cops had a hard time convincing the activist not to pin the poster to the fence surrounding the police station.
Mr. Achariya claimed that several police lieutenant generals were working for a former national police chief. He also believed that this group was in charge of approximately 70% of the online gambling sites that are currently operating in Thailand. The activist demanded that the alleged perpetrators be prosecuted. He believed that by effectively cropping their police-related roots, illegal gambling operations could be stopped.
The Expected Response from the Police
Whistleblowers Arisara Thongborisut and Chuvit Kamolvisit, together with activist Achariya Ruangrattanapong, effectively compelled the police to take several actions. The chain of events began with a press conference held at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau headquarters in Nonthaburi province by Pol Col Kissana Phattanacharoen.
The police colonel is the bureau’s spokesperson and is actively involved in dealing with issues concerning online casinos in Thailand. The colonel explained the police’s efforts to combat the online gambling network during the conference. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has also spoken out about the issue. In a recent public address, the government official addressed issues related to Chuwit Kamolvisit’s accusations.
Prime Minister Prayut responded by saying that the police are actively investigating the case presented by Mr. Chuwit. The whistleblower recently accused General Jor of demanding a monthly stipend of 50,000 to 200,000 baht from illegal betting platform operators in exchange for protection and the assurance that they would not be arrested.
Prime Minister Prayut stated in his speech that any police officer found guilty of the alleged offense would be prosecuted. He also reiterated the government’s determination to combat corruption. According to him, the government recently enacted a new regulation that imposes severe disciplinary and criminal sanctions on all types of government officials. According to this regulation, the aforementioned officials will be removed from their government positions to allow for proper investigations.
Final Word
The recent allegations against senior police officials have brought the issue of aided illegal gambling operations in Thailand to the forefront once more. Fortunately, the Thai government and law enforcement agencies are investigating and addressing the problem. It remains to be seen whether these efforts will help reduce illegal online gambling operations or if it will be another failed effort to combat the obviously growing sector.
