Thai police once again took action to rectify the chaos of online gambling! On September 6, the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) announced the successful arrest of 27-year-old famous internet celebrity Naphasin Phumphut, stage name "Noar Laphi", also known as "Ghost Hunter Noah" by fans for his ghost hunting videos. The police accused him of being hired to advertise for illegal online gambling websites, and found up to 2 million Thai Baht involved in his bank account.
This operation was ordered by TCSD Commander Major General Athip Phongsiwapai, with support from Police Colonel Phanlan Pathompornwiwat leading the team to raid a residence in Lanluca County, Pathum Thani Province, where Naphasin was captured on the spot, along with the seizure of mobile phones and bank books as evidence. The bank books showed a large amount of funds flowing into gambling websites.
It is reported that Naphasin quickly rose to fame on social media with his quirky and supernatural exploration content, with over 5 million TikTok followers and more than 500,000 Facebook fans. However, after building a large fan base, he turned to use his online influence to help gambling platforms attract traffic. The police revealed that during the two-year collaboration, he received a monthly payment of 50,000 to 80,000 Thai Baht from gambling sites, with total earnings exceeding 2 million Thai Baht.
Facing police interrogation, Naphasin initially pleaded guilty, admitting to being hired to promote gambling platforms and using his traffic advantage to attract fans to click on related websites. The police emphasized that such actions seriously violate Thai law, especially promoting gambling to young people on social platforms, not only disrupting social order but also exacerbating the risk of addiction among minors.
The TCSD stated that the next step would be to further investigate the gambling network and the flow of funds behind it, targeting those who manipulate internet celebrities for promotion. The police also remind the public that anyone who promotes or solicits gambling online is breaking the law, and could face both fines and imprisonment.
This case has shaken Thai online public opinion. Many netizens lament the "fall of an idol", criticizing him for betraying fan trust for short-term benefits; others see it as a wake-up call for the Thai internet celebrity economy: if one steps over the legal line in monetizing traffic, a heavy price must ultimately be paid.
With the exposure of this case, the attention to the "chaos of internet celebrities involved in gambling" in Thai society has sharply increased. Industry insiders point out that this is not only a crackdown on individuals but could also become a catalyst for authorities to tighten control over online content. In the future, internet celebrities and social platforms may face stricter compliance requirements.
