Cyber police arrested two company presidents who registered legal entities and opened front companies without real business operations to allow gambling websites to launder money. Both initially confessed to the charges.
On 18 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembutr, Commissioner of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), along with Police Lieutenant General Naradet Thiprak, Commissioner attached to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters and TCSD, Police Major General Wiwat Khamchamarn, Deputy Commissioner of TCSD, and Police Major General Thinkorn Rangmat, Deputy Commissioner of TCSD, ordered Police Major General Siriwat Deepho, Commander of TCSD Division 1, Police Colonel Weekawin Sermsrinchai, Chief of Division 3, TCSD Division 1, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Saksit Tawaram, Investigator of Division 3, TCSD Division 1, to lead officers with arrest warrants from the Criminal Court to detain Mr. Phitsanu, 43, and Ms. Pitchyapha, 27. They face charges of "jointly organizing gambling or schemes to entice, advertise, or directly or indirectly invite others to gamble via electronic media without official permission" and "conspiring between two or more persons to commit money laundering, with actual money laundering activities as a result of the conspiracy."
The investigation unit of Division 3, TCSD Division 1, found that the gambling website “lalikabet168e” has over 10,000 members, has operated for more than two years, and handles a total turnover exceeding 100 million baht per month. The site offers various online gambling options, including lottery, slots, international football betting, baccarat, and several other games. The money transfers to fund online gambling are conducted through corporate bank accounts under two legal entities: one chaired by Mr. Phitsanu and the other by Ms. Pitchyapha.
Financial tracing revealed that both companies used corporate bank accounts to conceal their transactions. These companies did not conduct any real business as registered but were established solely to open bank accounts for laundering money generated from the online gambling website. Police gathered evidence and obtained arrest warrants for both suspects. Mr. Phitsanu was arrested in Bangkok’s Khlong San district, while Ms. Pitchyapha surrendered to cyber police. Both have confessed and are now in custody to proceed with legal actions.