Cyber police arrested a man from Chiang Rai, a ruthless loan shark funded by an online gambling website. When debtors defaulted on payments, he forced them to open bank accounts to offset debts. Authorities found evidence including hundreds of LINE chat records documenting loan transactions with customers.
On 16 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Thinkorn Rangmat, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division (SOT), along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Arut Saengchan, Deputy Commander of SOT, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Chunnavat, Commander of SOT Division 2, ordered Pol. Col. Apirat Champasri, Deputy Commander of SOT Division 2, Pol. Col. Wisarut Jansuwan, Superintendent of SOT Division 2, Pol. Lt. Col. Worachak Rodsamsrit, Deputy Superintendent of SOT Division 2, and Pol. Lt. Tatnai Anantiyo, Inspector of SOT Division 2, to lead a team to arrest Mr. Theerapong Kawira, 41, from Chiang Rai, linked to a ruthless illegal loan operation.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Thinkorn Rangmat said this operation began when investigators from Investigation Unit 1, SOT Division 2, discovered the online gambling website “heng369” illegally offering casino games such as football betting, baccarat, fishing games, roulette, slots, and hi-lo. The site handles over 50 million baht in monthly financial transactions. Authorities gathered evidence and obtained arrest warrants from Rayong Provincial Court for seven individuals involved in the network.
In August, investigators arrested Ms. Sudarat Jongprasert, 42, from Nakhon Ratchasima, who operated bank accounts as fronts to receive and transfer money for the website and its affiliates. Four others were also arrested. They face charges including organizing or facilitating unauthorized electronic gambling, promoting or enticing others to gamble online without official permission, violating the Gambling Act of 1935, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
During interrogation, Ms. Sudarat stated she had borrowed 10,000 baht from Mr. Theerapong but failed to repay the debt. He threatened her with physical harm and demanded she open a bank account and hand over the bankbook as debt repayment. Fearing harm, she complied but then lost contact with him.
Investigators expanded their inquiry, obtaining a search warrant from Rayong Provincial Court (No. 11/2569 dated 14 Oct 2026 GMT+7) to search a rented room in Moo 3, Mae Nam Khu Subdistrict, Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province. They arrested Mr. Theerapong and seized loan ledgers, bankbooks with ATM cards, and mobile phones. They found extensive LINE chat records documenting loan transactions with hundreds of clients.
In questioning, Mr. Theerapong admitted to illegally lending money at an interest rate of 20% per day, with no principal repayments allowed. He would lend up to 10,000 baht per person. If debtors failed to make payments, he forced them to open bank accounts to offset debts. These accounts were then provided to the gambling network in Chiang Rai to receive money from the gambling website or serve as front accounts. The capital he lent originated from the online gambling network, and profits were partially returned to sustain the gambling system.
Police charged him with lending money at interest rates exceeding legal limits and operating a personal loan business without authorization. He was taken into custody for legal proceedings.