Thai authorities are expanding the charges being brought against a Thai legislator for alleged ties to an online gambling network to include money laundering and transnational crime.
According to The Bangkok Post, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) completed an investigation into Klatha Party MP Songkhla Chonnaput Naksua, with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recommending the legal action expand to include six more suspects involved in the online gambling syndicate.
The new charges against the six suspects include membership of a secret criminal association, running an illegal online gambling operation, conspiracy to commit money laundering and participation in a transnational criminal organization.
The charges are set to be formally filed after the current parliamentary session ends.
Thai police have been increasingly vigilant over illegal online gambling, particularly due to the ongoing World Cup. Recent cases involving foreign nationals conducting scams or illegal online gambling operations from Thailand have also increased pressure on local authorities to collaborate with international counterparts.
The country is widely known to have significant underground gambling operations – both online and offline – which was one of the reasons for the push in recent years to legalize casino gambling in the nation. While there were strong hopes that Thailand would pass its Entertainment Complex Bill, which would have paved the way for casinos, the political party championing it – Pheu Thai, led by former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra – has since officially abandoned its casino policy, shifting to a “wellness tourism” model instead.
The bill’s rejection by the Senate and Paetongtarn’s removal from office for ethical misconduct officially halted any process that could open up a new Asian gaming market. Even if the Pheu Thai Party does return to power, the strong anti-casino sentiment demonstrated during the bill’s debate has tempered hopes, even as the underground economy continues to thrive.
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