Cyber police launched the operation “Clean the Cockfighting Coop, Smash Illegal Capital” to expand investigations into an online gambling network in northeastern Thailand. The youth group known as “Councilor 888” has led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for “Councilor Ney,” a major political figure and financier who operated a cockfighting farm as a front to launder money from online gambling and distribute funds to mule accounts and various networks.
At 11:30 a.m. on 28 Jan 2026 at the Technology Crime Suppression Division headquarters in Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchapandakan Klayklung, Deputy Commander of the division, together with Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor, Commander of Division 1, Pol. Maj. Gen. Komkrit Sukthai, Commander of Division 3, Pol. Col. Kamphee Promsont, Deputy Commander of Division 3, and Damrongsak Ontha, Deputy Commander of Division 4, held a press conference on the operation “Clean the Cockfighting Coop, Smash Illegal Capital” expanding investigations into northeastern online gambling networks and issuing an arrest warrant for a major political financier operating a cockfighting farm as a front.
Pol. Col. Kamphee said the case originated in March 2025 when cyber police received complaints about a youth group known as “Councilor 888.” They started with an online lottery gambling website before entering local politics. Continuous investigations and arrests revealed that the network was financially linked in complex ways to the online lottery gambling website “Banhuay98.” The site offered various online gambling services including Thai government lottery, Lao lottery, Hanoi lottery, stock lotteries, as well as other online gambling such as baccarat, slots, sports betting, and more. Operating since 2012, it had over 10,000 members and an annual turnover exceeding 150 million baht. Since May last year, police have been investigating and seizing related assets worth tens of millions of baht.
The investigation team expanded financial and asset tracking, identifying key financiers behind the network: Mr. Pathanan Chandorn, known as “Councilor Ney,” aged 29, a local politician in Kalasin province, and his wife, Ms. Prinya Mukdasamut, aged 28. The couple ran a cockfighting farm in Khok Sa-at Subdistrict, Khong Chai District, Kalasin province, used as a front to launder money from the online gambling website and to distribute funds to mule accounts and other networks.
Later, Pathanan transitioned into politics. The financial trails, complex and partially destroyed, forced authorities to backtrack transactions from 2019. They found the suspects and his wife still used personal accounts to directly receive money from gamblers. Some players transferred money into the suspects’ accounts 100-200 times per month, with amounts ranging from tens to thousands of baht. Multiple witnesses admitted transferring money into these accounts to play online lottery during the operation of “Huay98.” Authorities had previously prosecuted some players and confirmed identities matching arrest warrants through photographic evidence.
Further investigation revealed that between 2019 and 2023, the network continued using personal accounts to receive and circulate gambling money before shifting to mule accounts later. They hired students on monthly salaries ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of baht to open bank accounts for money transfers and to act as administrators. Authorities have interviewed all related witnesses to collect evidence.
Pol. Col. Kamphee added that previously police sought court approval for arrest warrants twice. The first request was denied due to unclear evidence, with the court advising more evidence collection. The second request was approved based on witness testimony from arrested players and clear financial trails. The two suspects face charges of "conspiring to provide unauthorized online gambling, jointly advertising or soliciting others to gamble via electronic media, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering."
Initial examination of Pathanan’s bank accounts showed over 90 million baht in transactions. For Ms. Prinya’s accounts, authorities found money transfers for lottery bets and money parking. Further investigation is required due to multiple accounts involved, with plans to expand investigations to other accomplices.
Whether other politicians or influential figures are involved remains undisclosed. It is also unclear if the ten names mentioned by the Minister of Justice are related. Authorities emphasize that if evidence links anyone, they will pursue action without exception. They confirmed there is no political interference or orders, nor any signals for the suspects to evade arrest. This is a long-standing police investigation based on financial forensic evidence.
Currently, the two suspects have reportedly fled since before the arrest warrants were issued, last seen in Nong Khai province on 20 Jan. Authorities are tracking them and will coordinate with Interpol for red notices. Additional arrest warrants for related local politicians are expected within one to two weeks. Investigations and asset seizures under the Anti-Money Laundering Act will continue.