Cyber Crime Division 5 police raided the VIP.GT289TH3 online gambling network, conducting searches at four locations in central Udon Thani. They arrested four suspects involved in cash withdrawals, website administration, and mule account management. The network had about 200,000 members with an annual turnover exceeding 120 million baht.
On 21 Oct 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Thinkorn Rangmat, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division, alongside Pol. Maj. Gen. Arut Saengjan, Deputy Commander, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Komkrit Sukthai, Commander of Division 5, with his deputies and officers, to lead a raid with court warrants at four locations in Udon Thani city. The operation targeted a major online gambling network in the Northeast region with a combined turnover exceeding 120 million baht.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Thinkorn Rangmat stated that the Cyber Crime Division 5 investigation found the website “VIP.GT289TH3” had over 200,000 members and had been operating for more than three years. The site reportedly handled an average monthly turnover exceeding 10 million baht, totaling over 120 million baht annually. It secretly offered online gambling including international football betting, lottery, slots, baccarat, dragon tiger, hi-lo, pok deng, and various other games.
The site used automatic bank account transfers for deposits to play online gambling. Users could request withdrawals directly via the website. Website administrators assisted users by handling issues such as registration problems, financial transactions, and promoting online gambling on the site.
Investigations revealed the gambling site was illegally operating a base in Udon Thani province. Authorities gathered evidence and obtained arrest warrants from the Criminal Court for five individuals involved, including mule account operators handling customer deposits and withdrawals, website administrators, and cash withdrawers benefiting from the site. Search warrants were issued for four related locations in the network.
At the first location, officers searched a residence in Ban Luem Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, arresting Mr. Chatchai Pata, 26, responsible for cash withdrawals. He was wanted under the Criminal Court warrant No. 5889/2026 dated 30 Sep 2026. Authorities seized one computer, a mobile phone, and ATM cards as evidence.
At the second location, officers searched a residence in Moomin Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, arresting Mr. Pongsathon Nantason, 25, who served as a website system administrator. One computer was seized as evidence.
At the third location, also in Moomin Subdistrict, officers arrested Ms. Nirutsara Pamakamo, 26, a website system administrator. One computer was seized during the search.
At the fourth location, a residence in Nong Nakham Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, officers arrested Mrs. Sawang Nanak, 59, who acted as a mule account operator. She was wanted under Criminal Court warrant No. 5885/2026 dated 30 Sep 2026. All suspects confessed during questioning.
Initially, police charged the suspects with unauthorized organization of online gambling and money laundering. Some face additional charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and allowing others to use bank or electronic accounts to commit offenses.