Thailand's Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Monday launched an operation codenamed "Hanuman vs online casino mafia" against gambling websites based in 14 provinces, the Bangkok Post reported1. The operation was led by CSD commander Pol Maj Gen Montree Thetkhan and involved about 350 police targeting 63 premises1.
The provinces covered were Khon Kaen, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Maha Sarakham, Saraburi, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Phuket, Nonthaburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Ratchaburi and Buri Ram. Khon Kaen was the network's command center, with three targets in the province1.
In Khon Kaen, police searched a duplex in Muang district with a Criminal Court warrant for the arrest of Suwat Thanasarnwiwat, alias Sia Ko, 41. He was not there1. A second house was searched under a warrant for Sumalee Lertkijpaisal, 45, Mr Suwat's mother-in-law, on charges of illegally operating online gambling websites and money laundering. She was taken into custody1. A third house was searched under a warrant for Praput Latthisungnoen, 47, alias Sia Nook, on the same charges. He was not at the house1. Police impounded valuables including about 100 Bearbrick figurines and found rooms used for bitcoin mining1.
Pol Maj Gen Montree said the CSD had court warrants for the arrest of 23 key suspects and to search about 60 targets nationwide1.
"The operation was intended to shut down about 500 online gambling websites controlled by Fat Fast, Pol Maj Gen Montree said."
The Monday operation followed a September 22 crackdown in which the CSD smashed Fat Fast gambling websites in 10 provinces. In that operation, 30 suspects were arrested and about 400 assets worth about 460 million baht were seized1. Fat Fast had been in operation for over 10 years, with Mr Praput and Mr Suwat allegedly being major investors. It had 109 franchise holders and about 2,000 employees, and suspects arrested in the network said 7-10 million baht was transferred to investors daily1.
What it means for players
Thailand prohibits online gambling, and this operation targeted the operators of about 500 websites rather than their customers. The Bangkok Post report does not say whether any players were arrested or charged1. People who gamble in Thailand, whether locals, expats or visitors, face the same legal position as before: the sites named in this operation are the subject of a police shutdown effort, and the report gives no indication of what happens to money held on them. For background on how Thailand treats online gambling, see Can I Gamble in Thailand? and Is Online Gambling Legal in Asia? The 12 Jurisdictions Compared. For the wider pattern of enforcement against offshore operators, see Crackdowns on Offshore Online Gambling Hubs in Asia and Online Gambling Hubs in Asia and What Their Shutdown Means for Players.
What happens next
The CSD held warrants for 23 key suspects and about 60 search targets as of November 141. The report does not state when further arrests or searches are expected, and no court dates or trial schedule have been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Bangkok Post - 500 online gambling websites targeted by CSD raids, bangkokpost.com
