The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided eight locations associated with a major illegal movie piracy website network linked to money laundering, with damages estimated in the billions of baht. Businessman Thanathai Narongkool has not contacted investigators to surrender following the issuance of an arrest warrant and remains a person of interest under investigation.
At 3:30 p.m. on 26 Jan 2026 GMT+7 at the Department of Special Investigation, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Phaerdam, Director-General of the DSI, and Lt. Col. Khemanat Prakaihongmanee, Director of the Technology and Information Crime Division, jointly announced the results of operations targeting copyright infringement of films via illegal websites at eight locations across Bangkok, Lampang, Tak, Phitsanulok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi. Four suspects were arrested, with three more sought for the crimes of "conspiring to launder money and money laundering." Authorities seized numerous assets related to the crimes and froze several locations for further examination.
Lt. Col. Khemanat said that since 2020, the DSI has been investigating copyright infringement related to the website www.movie2free.com, which averaged over 25 million visitors per month. The estimated monthly copyright loss was approximately 4.52 billion baht. The activities constituted commercial copyright infringement, a predicate offense for money laundering. Two suspects were identified as controllers and managers of the entire website network, overseeing financial operations. Their case is currently under prosecution review at the public prosecutor's office.
In 2024, the DSI director-general authorized a special investigation into the offenses of "conspiring to launder money and money laundering" under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999. Evidence indicates seven individuals involved, and the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for all seven on 23 Jan 2026 GMT+7. Investigations revealed a systematic division of roles, including website management, financial operations, system and technical support, administration, advertising coordination, and public relations to attract visitors. The suspects linked online gambling advertisements to the movie websites, channeling illicit profits through bank and cryptocurrency accounts, using nominee accounts to conceal assets.
Lt. Col. Khemanat noted evidence suggests that Mr. Thanathai Narongkool is connected to the online gambling network through website development and advertising activities. Transactions included buying and selling film files and receiving advertising payments via proxy accounts, with communications conducted through the Line application. During the raids, Mr. Thanathai did not appear and has not contacted investigators to surrender. Four suspects were detained initially, with numerous related assets seized and frozen. The remaining three suspects, including Mr. Thanathai, are still being pursued.
The DSI affirmed it will rigorously enforce the law and closely coordinate with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to consider blocking websites involved in such illegal activities.
According to reporters, in Special Case No. 6/2023 regarding an online lottery platform, investigators recommended prosecution of four parties: two legal entities—1. Titan Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd., and 2. Online Lottery Co., Ltd.—and two individuals—1. Mr. Panthawat Nakvisut, CEO of GLO+ (Government Lottery Plus), and 2. Mr. Thanathai Narongkool, CEO of Titan Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd. They face two charges: "conspiring to offer gambling and conspiring to launder money." The case was submitted to the special prosecutors. Later, the special prosecutors declined to prosecute Mr. Thanathai, returning the case to the DSI director-general to consider objections. The director-general decided not to object and returned the case to the prosecutors.