BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the anti-money laundering office AMLO moved against a major network of ten online gambling sites through which investigators said billions of baht had circulated, while stressing that no arrest warrant had been issued for MP Chonnapat Nakasu.
Press conference in Bangkok – clear message on arrest warrant
Senior representatives from the Justice Ministry and DSI appeared alongside technology investigation units and AMLO at a press conference in the Ratchaburi Direkrit Building on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok.
Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthapol Naowarat stated that investigators had gathered incriminating material but had not sought a court order to detain the Songkhla MP at this stage.
“The DSI has so far not initiated an arrest warrant against Chonnapat Nakasu, even though investigators say they have collected incriminating material.”
said Rutthapol Naowarat, Justice Minister.
Operation Gameflow – MP summoned to appear on 12 March
The case was handled by DSI as a priority operation under the name “Operation Gameflow”, targeting online gambling and alleged money laundering activities.
According to the agency, Chonnapat Nakasu was summoned to provide testimony and was expected to appear on 12 March.
“Authorities are speaking of connections between the network and a ‘well-known politician’.”
said investigators, referring to the ongoing probe.
Raids in four provinces – assets seized again
On 5 March, DSI and AMLO officers searched ten locations across four provinces: Songkhla (five sites), Nonthaburi (two), Pathum Thani (one) and Bangkok (two), according to official information.
In the afternoon, authorities secured an additional 12 million baht in assets under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court.
First arrest – charges under gambling and money laundering laws
During the raids, investigators arrested a suspect identified only by the first name Nareerat, with her family name withheld by authorities.
She was accused of organising illegal gambling and conducting money laundering in violation of the Gambling Act of 1935 and the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999.
36 names, tough sentences, more suspects on the run
According to Rutthapol Naowarat, the investigation had so far identified 36 people as part of the gambling and money laundering complex.
Seventeen of them had already been sentenced to 20 years in prison, while twelve suspects remained at large as DSI and AMLO continued their joint probe.
Trail to Cambodia – accounts frozen, luxury assets secured
Under “Special Case” No. 150/2025, investigators expanded their focus to 25 additional suspects, mostly alleged administrators believed by DSI to be hiding in Cambodia.
In parallel, officials froze 18 bank accounts, and AMLO valued the seized assets at 158 million baht, including cash, luxury vehicles and real estate, while banks were expected to provide further details in the coming weeks.
The investigation underlined how online gambling in Southeast Asia could quickly develop into a professionally organised shadow economy with entrenched money laundering structures.