Keng Laipraang has been charged again for promoting gambling websites within four months. Lawyer Koetpol warns that influencers who repeatedly break the law risk asset seizure, noting that many others are still promoting without pause and face investigation.
Keng Laipraang was prosecuted again today (10 Apr 2026) for promoting gambling websites, receiving a four-month prison sentence without suspension. This comes despite his recent release on 6 Jul 2025 for the same offense committed on 31 Jul 2024, when he was initially sentenced to 11 months and 10 days in prison.
The well-known influencer Keng Laipraang was arrested again amid questions about why his current sentence is lighter than the first. During his latest arrest, he admitted to reporters that he created video clips advertising online gambling before his previous imprisonment. He resumed because he received a high monthly payment of several hundred thousand baht from his employer.
He was then sent to Don Mueang District Court, where the judge sentenced Jirayu, aka Keng Laipraang, to six months in prison. Since he had a prior final conviction for possession of Category 1 narcotics, his sentence was increased by one-third to eight months. After admitting guilt, his sentence was halved to four months without suspension.
Thairath Online’s special team found many famous influencers openly promoting gambling websites on social media. Some claim after arrest that their names were used without their knowledge. However, Keng Laipraang openly admitted to repeating the promotion due to earning hundreds of thousands of baht monthly, which may encourage others to repeatedly commit such offenses.
Thairath Online asked lawyer Koetpol Kaewkoet about repeat offenses in gambling promotion cases. He explained that legally, courts can increase punishment by half if there is a repeat offense. Normally, if the defendant confesses, the sentence is halved, but additional punishment is added for not learning from past crimes.
For example, if the court sentences someone to two months’ imprisonment, a confession reduces it to one month. But with an added half of the original sentence (one month), the total could remain two months.
Regarding money laundering offenses, lawyer Koetpol emphasized that promoting gambling websites is not just solicitation, which carries a penalty of up to one year, but also involves money laundering and supporting gambling activities.
He suggested that the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) should investigate the financial flows and seize assets from those involved in such behavior.
Legal loopholes: Currently, many influencers exploit the lenient penalties for gambling solicitation. After serving their sentences, they resume illegal activity because the income from such jobs is high.
Social impact and advice: Online gambling harms society by breaking up families and weakening communities. Well-known influencers should act responsibly and not misuse their fan base for wrongdoing.
Recommendations to the government: Authorities should take firm action, especially applying money laundering laws to prevent others from following such examples.