A prominent Thai boxer, Sutthiwat, has been arrested for promoting illegal sports betting websites on social media.
Thai authorities detained Sutthiwat after uncovering his involvement in a scheme to advertise unlicensed gambling platforms on his Facebook account, which has approximately 440,000 followers.
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Paid to Promote Betting Sites
According to local reports, the boxer received THB1,500 ($45.18) for each post advertising these unlicensed gambling sites. His social media promotions caught the attention of law enforcement as part of an extensive crackdown on illegal online gambling activities in Thailand.
The arrest followed a joint investigation between the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led by Police Lieutenant General Jiraphob Bhuridej, and the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), under the leadership of Police Major General Athip Pongsiwapai. The operation is part of Thailand’s broader initiative to tackle unauthorised gambling advertisements across digital platforms.
Sutthiwat’s involvement in promoting unlicensed gambling websites violated Thailand’s Gambling Act of 1935, particularly Section 12, which prohibits unauthorised advertising of gambling activities. The law strictly enforces penalties on individuals or groups that promote gambling activities without proper authorisation.
“We have been vigilant in monitoring online activities and were able to identify this case through our ongoing efforts,” a TCSD spokesperson said about the arrest.
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Thailand’s Strict Anti-Gambling Stance
While Thailand has expressed interest in legalising gambling and casinos in the future, strict prohibitions remain in place for all forms of gambling and associated advertisements. Both physical and digital gambling remain largely illegal, with authorities paying close attention to illegal activities, particularly on social media.
In recent months, Thai law enforcement has intensified its efforts against illegal gambling, with over 2,600 arrests made during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament alone. The arrests encompassed both online and offline gambling activities.