Eight close aides of former Police General Surachate Hakparn have been suspended from service. The suspension was ordered by The Royal Thai Police (RTP), signed by National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukwimol.
According to Thai news agencies, the eight were suspended from their positions pending a “serious disciplinary investigation” related to an illegal online gambling case.
The investigation was initiated by the RTP following allegations of said officers being involved in online gambling platforms offering services such as slots, baccarat, and other casino games without authorisation.
It was found that the eight accused officers were indeed involved in organising and promoting online gambling, as well as engaging in money laundering activities. A criminal case will be filed against the eight at the Thung Maha Mek Police Station.
Illegal gambling had been an existing problem in Thailand, and legalising gambling to bring all such activities under regulation and scrutiny was advocated by the former government and then Prime Minister Srettha Thavasin, under the bill dubbed as the ‘casino bill.’ This became uncertain when Thavasin was dismissed from his position.
While there were no known comments from the current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Shinawatra’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, had openly announced his support for the legalisation of casinos in Thailand.
It remains to be seen if the legalisation of casinos and gambling will actually go through for Thailand in the near future. But it looks to still be on course.
