BANGKOK, THAILAND – Ten parliamentary candidates were alleged to be linked to online gambling and scam websites, all reportedly from the same party, while authorities continued investigations involving multiple agencies.
Government cites single party in probe
Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said the identities of the politicians would be disclosed once inquiries had progressed further. He stated that the suspects were connected to online gambling platforms and fraud networks currently under review by security agencies.
Asked whether all ten candidates belonged to the same party, he replied briefly and clearly:
“They are.”
said Chaichanok, minister of Digital Economy and Society. He added that the public would learn the names
“in due course.”
said Chaichanok, minister of Digital Economy and Society.
Justice minister warns of legal fallout
Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat urged patience, saying investigators needed more time because several bodies were involved in gathering evidence, including the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). He noted that the cases relied heavily on intelligence material that still had to be assessed.
In a later interview, he cautioned that releasing the names too early could have serious legal consequences.
“If I reveal the names now, I will be the first one to be sued,”
said Rutthapon, justice minister, pointing out that many leads had not yet been fully evaluated.
Denial of political interference
Rutthapon rejected suggestions that delays were politically motivated.
“This is not political harassment,”
said Rutthapon, justice minister, adding that several cases had already been handled discreetly to avoid accusations of political interference.
He also remarked that he did not want to
“end up in prison in old age.”
said Rutthapon, justice minister, underscoring the personal legal risks of naming suspects prematurely.
People’s Party responds to mounting concern
On Monday, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, list candidate and deputy leader of the People’s Party (PP), addressed growing concerns following the arrest of one PP candidate and reports of further possible arrests of party hopefuls. He said the party had implemented a strict vetting process for candidates, including criminal background checks and information from credit companies.
According to Wiroj, the aim was to field only individuals without outstanding arrest warrants and without serious prior convictions. He stated that all legal actions against PP candidates had been initiated only after the completion of candidate registration.
Wiroj said those affected had previously had no entries in the criminal register. At the same time, he acknowledged that complaints had been filed against some candidates and assured that the party took all allegations seriously.
Integrity questions and digital crime challenges
The affair raised broader questions about political integrity and the fight against online crime. Investigators and government officials were caught between public pressure for transparency and the legal risks of publicly naming suspects.
Authorities highlighted the danger of defamation lawsuits if names were released too early and the strain on political credibility when corruption and fraud accusations emerged. They also faced a high investigative workload due to complex online structures and the involvement of multiple agencies.
Until the investigations were concluded, it remained unclear what specific criminal charges the ten parliamentary candidates might face and what political consequences could arise for the party at the center of the case.