Major Online Gambling Network Busted, Over 100 Million Baht in Circulation

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

A major breakthrough by Cyber Police has led to the arrest of the financial manager behind one of the country’s largest illegal online gambling networks, which had an annual turnover exceeding 100 million baht.

The raid, carried out on 10 April, followed an operation ordered by Pol Lt Gen Trirong Phiewphan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). The operation was led by Pol Maj Gen Kritchan Bamrungrattanasot, commander of Cyber Crime Division 4, alongside several senior officers.

Armed with a warrant from Khon Kaen Provincial Court (No. 144/2568), officers stormed a residence in Ban Ped Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, arresting 27-year-old Mr Chaiyara, who was named in an arrest warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court (No. Jor 631/2568). Items seized included a car, three mobile phones, a tablet, a computer, and a bank account book with an ATM card.

According to Pol Lt Gen Trirong, the crackdown follows a government directive to target online gambling networks, which are believed to exploit the public and particularly young people.

Investigators from Division 4 had been monitoring a site known as “Pixxel”, which offered a wide range of gambling services, including slots, fish-shooting games, card games, baccarat, hi-lo, pokdeng, dragon-tiger, live casino, lottery, and sports betting. The site reportedly had over 10,000 members and an annual turnover exceeding 100 million baht.

Mr Chaiyarat was identified as a key financial operator and beneficiary within the network, based in Khon Kaen. After gathering substantial evidence, police obtained warrants not only for Mr Chaiyarat but also for seven other individuals believed to be involved in the operation, acting as administrators and operating mule accounts used for handling gambling funds.

During the raid, Mr Chaiyarat was taken into custody. Police have since arrested six additional suspects connected to the network, with one individual still at large.

In questioning, Mr Chaiyarat confessed to operating the “Pixxel” gambling platform for over three years, primarily overseeing its financial operations and managing transactions via various bank accounts.

He now faces multiple charges, including:

• Operating or promoting gambling through electronic media without authorisation;

• Conspiring with others to commit money laundering offences;

• Engaging in money laundering activities.

-- 2025-04-11