A Thai member of parliament and several police officers have been accused of involvement in a massive online gambling case involving funds up to 2.5 billion Thai Baht. Former Deputy Chief of the Royal Police "Big Joke" publicly accused a southern politician (suspected by outsiders to be Palang Pracharat Party MP Chonnapat Naksuwan) of participating in online gambling operations. Chonnapat has denied the allegations, stating that his financial status had already been audited. Political activist Atchaya Rueangrattanapong has submitted evidence to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), accusing the MP and his family of financial ties with the gambling operations, and calling for his resignation from the Police Commission and withdrawal from politics. The investigation also found that several police officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau might be involved, having held multiple anti-gambling press conferences without transferring the cases to court, raising public doubts.
Allegations and Responses
Former Deputy Chief of the Royal Police "Big Joke" accused a southern politician (publicly speculated to be Palang Pracharat Party MP Chonnapat Naksuwan) of involvement in online gambling operations, involving funds of 2.5 billion Thai Baht. Chonnapat publicly denied the allegations, stating that he had passed a comprehensive financial audit before becoming an MP. Palang Pracharat Party leader Thammanat Prompao defended him, stating that similar allegations had been investigated and concluded previously, but public doubts still persist.
Evidence Submission and Further Allegations
Political activist and chairman of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Atchaya Rueangrattanapong, submitted evidence to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), claiming financial ties between the gambling operators and Chonnapat and his family, and accusing the MP of admitting to some misconduct and attempting to negotiate a private settlement. Atchaya called for Chonnapat to resign from the Police Commission, withdraw from parliament, and permanently exit politics, while also accusing him of involvement in drug trafficking, planning to apply to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to seize related assets.
Police Involvement and Public Skepticism
The investigation revealed that several police officers, especially members of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, might be involved with the gambling network. These officers had held multiple anti-gambling press conferences but failed to transfer the cases to court, leading to widespread public skepticism about the fairness and transparency of law enforcement. The case continues to ferment, with public attention focused on the progress of the investigation and potential clean-ups in the political and police circles.
