"Cyber Frog" Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), announced the dismantling of the "NAKARIN" gambling network with over 300 million baht in turnover. He confirmed the arrest of "Pond Ratchapong Soisuwan," People's Party MP candidate, stating the actions were based on evidence and not political harassment. After investigation, unusual wealth was found and Pond had not stopped gambling online; there was also evidence he owned the gambling website.
At 14:00 on 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7 at the Technology Crime Suppression Division headquarters in Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr, commander of TCSD; Pol. Lt. Gen. Naradet Thiprak, commander assigned to the Royal Thai Police Office; Pol. Maj. Gen. Wiwat Khamchamnarn, deputy commander of TCSD; Pol. Maj. Gen. Thinkorn Rangmat, deputy commander of TCSD; Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepho, commander of TCSD Division 1; Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Junnawatt, commander of TCSD Division 2; Pol. Maj. Gen. Komkrit Sukthai, commander of TCSD Division 3; Pol. Maj. Gen. Sila Kanjanarak, commander of TCSD Division 5; and Pol. Col. Kampee Promsont, deputy commander of TCSD Division 3, jointly held a press briefing.
They announced the operation that dismantled the "nakarin 789" gambling network, arresting a People's Party MP candidate with an annual turnover exceeding 300 million baht.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol said that under the directives of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Royal Thai Police Commissioner Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, TCSD was ordered to expedite investigations and arrests of online crime offenders, especially cracking down on scammers, online gambling, and all forms of online betting, which corrupt the public and youth and damage the national economy.
This arrest followed cyber police investigations revealing the "nakarin 789" website had over 10,000 members, operated for more than three years, with an annual turnover exceeding 300 million baht. It illicitly offered online gambling such as lottery, slots, international football betting, baccarat, and various other gambling types, with transactions made through bank accounts.
TCSD Division 3 investigators traced involvement to Mr. Ratchapong or Pond Soisuwan, 32, former MP for Tak Province, District 2, People's Party, and current MP candidate for the same district and party. He was identified as a beneficiary of the gambling website. Authorities gathered evidence and obtained court warrants to arrest Ratchapong and five other network associates. On the evening of 14 Jan 2026 GMT+7, the arrest was made at his residence in a luxury housing estate on Nawamin Road, Nawamin Subdistrict, Bueng Kum District, Bangkok.
He faces charges of "jointly organizing gambling, creating schemes, advertising or soliciting others directly or indirectly to participate in electronic media gambling without official permission, conspiring in money laundering, and jointly laundering money."
Pol. Col. Kampee stated that after arresting Ratchapong and interrogating him overnight, he denied all allegations, claiming he was merely a player and not involved in or owner of the online gambling site. However, police possess evidence from investigations starting November 2025 GMT+7, showing Ratchapong as the owner of the gambling site, with activity dating back to 2022-2023 and continuing from his time as a former MP to his current candidacy in the latest election.
Investigation of the "nakarin789" gambling website showed annual turnover between 300-400 million baht. Further inquiries found that Ratchapong had not ceased gambling and exhibited unusual wealth. The gambling website's admin team operates in Mae Sot District and Bangkok, while the beneficiary personally manages operations.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol added that police conducted investigations strictly following evidence and legal procedures, unrelated to politics or any party. The investigation has been ongoing for some time. Police tested the "nakarin789" website by playing, identifying linked bank accounts at Kasikornbank and Siam Commercial Bank, owned by Mr. Somphot Kaewprasit, who has been arrested. Financial trails led to a Kasikornbank account owned by Ms. Kanjana Namhong, also arrested. Funds were then transferred to beneficiary accounts under the name of Mr. Ratchapong Soisuwan.
Authorities obtained court approval to issue arrest warrants for six persons involved. Police have apprehended Ratchapong and three associates in the network. The remaining two, who contracted to open bank accounts, are still being sought.