According to Thai media, sources from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) revealed that the government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is preparing to intensify its crackdown on online gambling sites.
A committee will be established, chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Chief of the Royal Thai Police, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and other agency leaders participating to coordinate actions and enhance coverage and efficiency.
"Previously, this committee was established during Mr. Suthep's tenure as Prime Minister, but was disbanded following a Constitutional Court ruling that removed him from office. Later, in this government, it will be submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for reconsideration. If approved, it can be established under the administrative law of the government."
Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy mentioned that there are also plans to adjust the legal drafts related to the crackdown on online gambling sites to make them more effective, including discussions with commercial banks, telecommunications providers, and others to establish mechanisms for inspecting and preventing transactions related to gambling sites, including returning funds seized from offenders to victims of cybercrime. Currently, the Anti-Money Laundering Office is undertaking related work.
"Combating online gambling sites is challenging because once the Ministry of Digital Economy orders a shutdown, criminals quickly set up new gambling sites, making it difficult to completely eradicate them. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy Prasert Chantarawongthong has been accelerating the crackdown efforts.
Statistics show that over the past year, more than 60,000 online gambling sites have been shut down, compared to about 2,000 sites established the previous year. The goal is to shut down another 50,000 online gambling sites by the end of this year."
