During a recent media briefing at the Inquiry Officials’ Association of Thailand, Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn revealed the arrest of a police commander, who happens to be his academy classmate, on charges of operating three illegal gambling websites. Pol Gen Surachate confirmed that the police major general was among the nine suspects apprehended for running the gambling sites RRD789, BLUE789, and SEXY789. Despite their past connection, Pol Gen Surachate clarified that all suspects would face the legal consequences of their actions, showcasing impartiality and dedication to upholding the law.
Interestingly, the investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by a 24-year-old programmer and administrator of the gambling websites. The young man claimed to have been abducted by seven men from his home located in the Chokchai area of Bangkok in January. The abductors took him to a coffee shop in Chon Buri, where he was accused of reducing the revenue generated from the online gambling platforms. As a result, he was assaulted and forced to pay 100,000 baht for his freedom. The programmer disclosed to the investigators that the mastermind behind the gambling websites was someone from Pol Gen Surachate’s class at the Royal Police Cadet Academy.
Among the nine suspects detained, a police inspector was also arrested for providing personal information about the programmer to the criminal gang. It is believed that this information was used to intimidate the young man. The illegal online gambling operation was originally based in Chon Buri, but the operators eventually transitioned to working from home. Pol Gen Surachate stated that the investigators would thoroughly examine the source of the assets belonging to the suspects, estimated to be worth around 200 million baht.
Undoubtedly, this high-profile case serves as a stark reminder of the rampant illegal gambling operations still active within Thailand. The involvement of a police major general, who was an academy classmate of the Deputy National Police Chief, highlights the concerning entanglement between law enforcement agents and the world of crime. Pol Gen Surachate’s insistence on treating the case without any bias, regardless of his connection to one of the suspects, is commendable. It is hoped that such transparency and determination to hold all suspects accountable will help strengthen the public’s trust in the Thai law enforcement system and deter others from participating in illegal activities such as online gambling.
The crackdown on illegal gambling operations is crucial, as it not only poses a threat to individuals but also serves as a conduit for money laundering. As evident in this case, those involved were also charged with laundering money. By dismantling such networks, authorities will not only protect citizens from the harmful impact of gambling but also hamper criminal activities linked to these platforms, thus making Thailand a safer environment for everyone.
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