Gambling Site Bust: Police Arrest Fengshui Master and 12 Others

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Picture courtesy of KhaoSod English

 

Royal Thai Police have unveiled a major gambling operation, arresting 13 individuals linked to an illicit betting website accused of generating an eye-popping 1.6 billion baht annually. Among those apprehended is the well-known fengshui guru, Thanawan Jiracharoenwes, known as "Tili."

 

A tale of deceit, Thanawan, aged 43, had earlier been apprehended for allegedly defrauding 117 people out of a staggering 130 million baht. His controversial trial continues in the Criminal Court, capturing public attention.

 

Investigations have uncovered that a chunk of his alleged fraud proceeds, around 90 million baht, was funnelled into the gambling site SBOBET, adding another layer to the complex saga.

 

The wheels of justice turned swiftly following a two-month investigation. On Sunday, police closed in on Bangkok and Pathum Thani, arresting 58-year-old Thanaphat along with his 12 accomplices. The raids also resulted in the seizure of around 20 million baht in assets believed to have been illicitly obtained, as reported by Bangkok News.

The gambling network, according to the Royal Thai Police, had been operational for over a decade, with an annual turnover exceeding 1.6 billion baht. Authorities are keen on tracing the misappropriated funds from Thanawan's victims, hinting at possible restitution through legal avenues.

 

In related developments, discussions concerning the proposed casino-entertainment complex are underway. According to a government source, Thai citizens wishing to gamble will need to meet financial criteria, including maintaining a fixed deposit account with at least 50 million baht for six months.

 

This condition is part of Section 65 of the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, currently under review by the Council of State. The Cabinet is slated to discuss the Bill on March 11.

 

As this gripping story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the expansive reach of organised gambling networks and the complexities involved in bringing those responsible to justice. Keep an eye on this saga as more revelations are expected to emerge in the coming days, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-04