Picture courtesy of MGR

 

Authorities and political observers are scrutinising evidence linking former Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and former Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda to casino developments along the Thai-Cambodian border. The findings point to significant involvement in the establishment and upgrading of border checkpoints near Buriram and Trat, which later became routes to gambling and investment complexes. The revelations have sparked debate over past policy decisions and their impact on cross-border crime and investment.

 

The first record, dated 31 October 2014, came from Prayut’s remarks after a visit to Cambodia. He highlighted strategic partnerships, cross-border cooperation, and infrastructure projects such as the Aranyaprathet-Poipet railway link. Both sides also agreed to upgrade four checkpoints, including Ban Tha Sen in Trat and Chong Sai Taku in Buriram, underscoring efforts to deepen ASEAN integration.

 

On 29 August 2015, Anupong signed agreements during the 5th Thai-Cambodian Governors’ Meeting in Bangkok. The commitments included special economic zones, transport links, and new permanent border checkpoints. Among them were Ban Tha Sen–Tamoda and Chong Sai Taku, both later cited as gateways to areas now linked with Cambodian business tycoon Oknha Try Pheap, sanctioned by the United States in 2019 over illegal logging and alleged ties to cyber-scam networks.

 

Thailand later built a 6.6-kilometre road completed in January 2021, directly connecting Ban Tha Sen to “Tamoda City” in Cambodia’s special economic zone. This has since been exposed as a hub for online crime, raising questions about whether earlier government decisions facilitated criminal operations. Critics argue that what began as economic policy under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) created infrastructure benefiting illicit activities.

 

Attention now turns to the current administration led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. His government must decide how to manage Tamoda City, which houses more than just casinos and is seen as a sprawling complex tied to transnational interests. Meanwhile, newly appointed Navy Commander Admiral Phairoj Fuengfungchan has sparked controversy by suggesting that disputed casino buildings encroaching on Thai land could be repurposed for joint border use, instead of being demolished.

 

This shift in stance has prompted public outcry, with residents in Trat warning that accepting “shared use” undermines Thai sovereignty. Locals insist the buildings should be removed entirely. Anutin has also addressed land issues in Sa Kaeo, stating on 2 October that the government will apply appropriate laws while considering humanitarian concerns, but decisive action is unlikely by 10 October as previously suggested.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Evidence shows Prayut and Anupong’s governments approved and funded border projects linked to casinos.

• Infrastructure built by Thailand has since connected directly to areas tied to online crime networks.

• The Anutin government now faces pressure to act on disputed buildings and cross-border crime.

 

Related Stories

 

Thai-senate-sends-casino-plan-packing-cites-high-risks/

 

Chinese-arrested-in-Sa-Kaeo-illegal-border-crossing-attempt

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from MGR 2025-10-05

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eastern Tigers???

And they call Thaksin corrupt 

 

 

 

Well, bend me over backwards and slap me with a wet fish......Uncle Tu up to something fishy?.......Never.

14 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

The Eastern Tigers???

They have had to diversify. All the teak and rosewood has gone.

Uncle Tu ?  Noooooooo......I thought Uncle Tu was as pure as the driven snow.....

Is anyone really surprised ?

On 10/5/2025 at 3:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

linking former Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and former Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda to casino developments

Navy Commander Admiral Phairoj Fuengfungchan has sparked controversy by suggesting that disputed casino buildings encroaching on Thai land could be repurposed for joint border use, instead of being demolished.

Common denominator for all three parasites persons: Thai Military

12 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

And they call Thaksin corrupt 

The higher the status the more corrupt... it applies to all

Nobody really knows what went on during the junta, what kind of profit taking there was, what the potential extent of corruption there was, or how many billions were being made. All we know is that they decimated the economy over a 10-year period, and Thailand has yet to recover from their destructive administration. 

On 10/5/2025 at 3:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of MGR

 

Authorities and political observers are scrutinising evidence linking former Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and former Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda to casino developments along the Thai-Cambodian border. The findings point to significant involvement in the establishment and upgrading of border checkpoints near Buriram and Trat, which later became routes to gambling and investment complexes. The revelations have sparked debate over past policy decisions and their impact on cross-border crime and investment.

 

The first record, dated 31 October 2014, came from Prayut’s remarks after a visit to Cambodia. He highlighted strategic partnerships, cross-border cooperation, and infrastructure projects such as the Aranyaprathet-Poipet railway link. Both sides also agreed to upgrade four checkpoints, including Ban Tha Sen in Trat and Chong Sai Taku in Buriram, underscoring efforts to deepen ASEAN integration.

 

On 29 August 2015, Anupong signed agreements during the 5th Thai-Cambodian Governors’ Meeting in Bangkok. The commitments included special economic zones, transport links, and new permanent border checkpoints. Among them were Ban Tha Sen–Tamoda and Chong Sai Taku, both later cited as gateways to areas now linked with Cambodian business tycoon Oknha Try Pheap, sanctioned by the United States in 2019 over illegal logging and alleged ties to cyber-scam networks.

 

Thailand later built a 6.6-kilometre road completed in January 2021, directly connecting Ban Tha Sen to “Tamoda City” in Cambodia’s special economic zone. This has since been exposed as a hub for online crime, raising questions about whether earlier government decisions facilitated criminal operations. Critics argue that what began as economic policy under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) created infrastructure benefiting illicit activities.

 

Attention now turns to the current administration led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. His government must decide how to manage Tamoda City, which houses more than just casinos and is seen as a sprawling complex tied to transnational interests. Meanwhile, newly appointed Navy Commander Admiral Phairoj Fuengfungchan has sparked controversy by suggesting that disputed casino buildings encroaching on Thai land could be repurposed for joint border use, instead of being demolished.

 

This shift in stance has prompted public outcry, with residents in Trat warning that accepting “shared use” undermines Thai sovereignty. Locals insist the buildings should be removed entirely. Anutin has also addressed land issues in Sa Kaeo, stating on 2 October that the government will apply appropriate laws while considering humanitarian concerns, but decisive action is unlikely by 10 October as previously suggested.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Evidence shows Prayut and Anupong’s governments approved and funded border projects linked to casinos.

• Infrastructure built by Thailand has since connected directly to areas tied to online crime networks.

• The Anutin government now faces pressure to act on disputed buildings and cross-border crime.

 

Related Stories

 

Thai-senate-sends-casino-plan-packing-cites-high-risks/

 

Chinese-arrested-in-Sa-Kaeo-illegal-border-crossing-attempt

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from MGR 2025-10-05

 

 

 

 

 

 

What does a Thai politician do almost as well as breathing? Getting money from corruption! Fact!

Current Thai govt gradually releasing information which undermines those who may oppose it. 

On 10/5/2025 at 3:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

Authorities and political observers are scrutinising evidence linking former Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and former Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda to casino developments along the Thai-Cambodian border.

 

Oh no. If even those incorruptible generals got corrupted, there really is no hope. 

But bthe foreigners are the bad guys.. I think in Thailand the Government, army and its cronies are worst enemies of the country. All are corrupt, and don't do anything for the population except filling their own pockets, while the people have to make ends meet every day and are being brainwashed how trustworthy the Government is

This sort of corruption is common. Years ago roads that went into the jungle and stopped dead at the Burmese border were discovered. Drug routes into Thailand 

Unless former PMs are arrested, why mention it?

On 10/5/2025 at 3:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

former Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and former Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda

 

Both of these are untouchables  so I'm 99.9999% sure nothing will happen.

17 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

And they call Thaksin corrupt 

Thaksin has nothing on this guy, at least he was voted in by the Thai electorate, this Cha-Cha led an illegal coup.

21 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The higher the status the more corrupt... it applies to all

I think that is a fair statement, we should all ask ourselves  'how corrupt would I be if I was in a position of power' before pointing fingers.

On 10/5/2025 at 10:20 PM, JAG said:

They have had to diversify. All the teak and rosewood has gone.

And the flood of gems from Pailin turned into a trickle?

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

I think that is a fair statement, we should all ask ourselves  'how corrupt would I be if I was in a position of power' before pointing fingers.

As they say.. "absolute power corrupts absolutely"

18 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

As they say.. "absolute power corrupts absolutely"

I can think of two notable exceptions, Jose Mujica Cordano a Uruguayan president 2010 -2015 known as the worlds poorest president who donated 90% of his 12,000 dollar monthly salary to charity drove an old car and lived frugally 

 

The Roman head of state who lived frugally, refused a second term, and returned to his farm was Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus. Called from his plow to become dictator during a military emergency, he swiftly defeated the Aequi, relinquished his near-absolute power after just 16 days, and returned to his farming duties, setting a standard for selfless leadership. 

 

Haven't seen their like since.

 

 

I know everyone hates Prayut, but from this article, I don't see actual evidence of corruption. Just suspicions. Improving border checkpoints and roads has been part of almost every administration's policies to increase border trade and investment. There is a lot of border trade between Thailand and its neighbors. It has been growing, and the policies have been to do whatever is needed to increase it. You would have to show me that Prayut and Anupong personally benefited financially through payoffs or gifts from casino owners. Color me skeptical. Let's wait and see what more comes out about this.

8 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

And the flood of gems from Pailin turned into a trickle?

The gems coming from Pailin aren't that valuable anymore. The valuable rubies and sapphires have been mined out for many years now. There are other lesser precious gems, but there are far better sources of corrupt money than from that. Also, you don't need to build better roads and checkpoints to move gems.

Take it to the election commission a proven entity of integrity and non-partisan decisions 

On 10/6/2025 at 1:36 PM, Caldera said:

 

Oh no. If even those incorruptible generals got corrupted, there really is no hope. 

1991 coup leader the late Sunthorn big George had assets over usd150 million when he passed in 1999. A career soldier all his life drawing usd1000 per month paycheck managed to amassed this fortune. Go figure.