Nonthaburi/Cyber police expanded the crackdown on the large online gambling network "HYDRA 888," seizing assets worth over 35 million baht, including luxury cars, cash, land deeds, Bearbrick models, Molly dolls, and Louis Vuitton shirts valued at more than 130,000 baht each.,
At 16:00 on 21 February 2025 at the Technology Crime Suppression Division Headquarters (TCSD) in Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpan, Commander of TCSD, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Wiwat Kamchamnan, Deputy Commander of TCSD, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thinkorn Rangmat, Deputy Commander of TCSD, Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Junnawat, Commander of TCSD 2, and Pol. Col. Jakkrit Srirojanakoon, Superintendent of TCSD 2, jointly held a press conference on the expanded operation against the "HYDRA 888" online gambling network.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong stated that this case began when the investigative team from Division 2 of TCSD 2 executed a search at room number 1/508, Building A, 17th floor, Lumpini Place Srinakarin-Huamark Station condominium project, Suan Luang subdistrict, Suan Luang district, Bangkok. The location was linked to the "HYDRA 888" online gambling network, which illegally operated games such as lottery, slots, international football betting, baccarat, and various other gambling types for over four years. The network had over 18,000 members and an average monthly turnover of 960 million baht, totaling over 11 billion baht annually.
They arrested Mr. Pongnapat Khokwichai, 31, from Lopburi Province, who was responsible for withdrawing money, and Mr. Thanabodee Vichayakhetunipon, 29, from Phrae Province, who delivered the withdrawn cash to the gambling website owner—who is wanted under a Nonthaburi Provincial Court warrant. They also arrested three other network associates acting as money mules on 17 February.
Subsequently, Pol. Lt. Col. Ekarin Sonnak, an investigator of Division 2, TCSD 2, and his team conducted further investigations to identify other network members, including beneficiaries and perpetrators involved in other offenses. They also searched for assets obtained through illegal activities hidden in various locations. They obtained a warrant from Nonthaburi Provincial Court to arrest Mr. Kanapon Wichaikij, also known as Top, 37, from Bangkok, who owns the gambling website and benefits from it. He faces charges of "collaborating to operate online gambling without authorization, conspiracy by two or more persons to commit money laundering, and committing money laundering due to conspiracy and collaboration."
They also uncovered information about the residences of those involved and locations hiding assets. Subsequently, they obtained search warrants from the Bangkok South Criminal Court for three sites and from the Phra Khanong Criminal Court for one site, totaling four sites in Bangkok.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong added that the first search was at room 186/156, 21st floor, Aston Silom, Silom Road, Suriyawong subdistrict, Bang Rak district, Bangkok; the second at room 28/253, 19th floor, Condo 28 Chidlom, Chidlom Road, Lumphini subdistrict, Pathumwan district, Bangkok; the third at room 889/409, 23rd floor, Ivy Thonglor, Thonglor Road, Khlong Tan Nuea subdistrict, Watthana district, Bangkok; and the fourth at house number 1115/66, Setthasiri-Pattanakarn Village, Pattanakarn Road, Prawet subdistrict, Prawet district, Bangkok. They seized computers, electronic devices, bank account books, cash cards, and related documents, as well as accessed data on these devices and internet systems related to the case. These will serve as evidence for investigation, prosecution, or consideration, related to offenses or assets acquired or intended for use in illegal activities.
The search resulted in the seizure of assets believed to be obtained through offenses of providing electronic gambling and money laundering, including one gray BMW 320i sedan valued at 4 million baht; one white Nissan GTR sedan valued at 10 million baht; one red Honda Civic sedan valued at 3 million baht; one white Honda Civic sedan valued at 3 million baht; one Lexus L1350 van valued at 7 million baht; cash totaling 300,000 baht in Thai currency; foreign currencies worth approximately 347,000 baht; one land title deed for 15 square wah valued at over 1.5 million baht; one long shotgun; one semi-automatic pistol; over 100 rounds of ammunition; 74 Bearbrick dolls; four Molly dolls valued at over 1.5 million baht; three Louis Vuitton shirts valued at over 130,000 baht each; one safe; one money-counting machine; five mobile phones; and one tablet. The total seized assets are valued at more than 35 million baht.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong further stated that dismantling this gambling website was a significant blow to a major online gambling network. Investigations revealed that Mr. Kanapon Wichaikij, known as Top, the owner of this gambling website, has fled abroad and traveled to Vietnam.