The case exposing the violent dark side behind online gambling has once again attracted attention.
A victim, Ah Gong (pseudonym), was brutally beaten by the owner of a gambling website, Mr. M, in the northern suburbs of Bangkok, Nonthaburi Province, because Mr. M suspected Ah Gong of having an improper relationship with his girlfriend.
According to the police report, the 45-year-old gambling site owner Mr. M beat Ah Gong with an iron pipe and poured hot water into his mouth, causing severe injuries. Ah Gong endured extreme pain, climbed over a wall to escape, and eventually reported to the police.
This incident resulted in three fractures in Ah Gong's left leg, requiring surgical treatment. Mr. M surrendered himself on December 9, and the case is currently under further investigation.
On December 11, Thai police escorted the suspect Mr. M to the Nonthaburi Provincial Court to apply for detention. He is charged with multiple offenses including intentional grievous harm, illegal detention, violation of the Tobacco Tax Act and Firearms Act, drug abuse, and others. Additionally, he is also suspected of causing another injury case by headbutting a reporter during the incident.
During the escort, Mr. M apologized to the media for attacking the reporter and claimed that his overreaction was due to a question involving his mother, which upset him. When asked if he had ever used a saw to cut off a subordinate's fingers, Mr. M was evasive, saying, "You have to ask him himself." Before getting into the car, Mr. M left a thought-provoking remark: "The mouth decides fate."
Ah Gong's mother appeared at the police station and explicitly opposed Mr. M's bail. She expressed concern that once the suspect is released, he could pose a threat to Ah Gong and his family. She revealed that Mr. M's subordinates had called to threaten them and even tried to locate Ah Gong. Moreover, she was angry at Mr. M's lack of remorse and considered him extremely dangerous in this case.
The police also opposed bail, but the final decision is still up to the court.
Ah Gong's mother believes that Mr. M's actions go beyond ordinary harm and suspect attempted murder, calling for stricter legal sanctions against him. She also hopes the police will thoroughly investigate the operation of the gambling website behind Mr. M and track down evidence of related illegal activities.
According to police sources, Mr. M has admitted to beating Ah Gong, claiming it was because Ah Gong was lazy, disobedient, and took money without working. However, witnesses and the police stated that Mr. M still exhibited abnormal behavior during detention, further confirming his dangerousness.
Currently, Ah Gong is still receiving treatment in the hospital, and doctors estimate that it will take several weeks for him to recover. The police are intensifying their efforts to collect evidence to ensure the case is fairly adjudicated, while further investigating the illegal activities related to the gambling website.
