On May 18, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya Tawichai, spokesperson for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), responded to Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, list MP from the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), who had urged the government to crack down on gambling networks allegedly laundering money for local election vote buying.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya cautioned Mr. Thanakorn not to expect too much from the government, stating that grassroots citizens who once had hope in the administration have long since lost it. He claimed that those close to the government are involved, not just in provinces like Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Roi Et, and Songkhla, but nationwide. Public advertisements for online gambling now affect every village and community, impacting students, vendors, the elderly, and even monks, who have become victims of online gambling and loan shark networks—as evidenced by recent news of senior monks falling prey.
He emphasized that cracking down on online gambling is not difficult. The Prime Minister, as chair of the Police Commission overseeing over 200,000 officers nationwide, and as head of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, has the authority to act. If properly directed and monitored, these criminal groups wouldn’t be operating freely.
The PPRP has previously revealed the names of gambling websites reported by the public—such as Macau888, Hydra888, Brazil999, and Heng36—but they continue to deceive youth, retirees, and low-income citizens.
“The evidence is overwhelming. The Prime Minister cannot plausibly deny knowledge or involvement. The question is whether he has the sincerity or capability to address this issue. Ultimately, the problem may lie close to him, involving government insiders and close associates with criminal warrants—such as Mr. T., Inspector S., Mr. K., Ms. N., and Ms. M.—some of whom are fugitives regularly spotted on the 9th floor of a luxury hotel in the Ploenchit area,” said Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya.