PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested four suspects and dismantled two major illegal football streaming networks accused of pirating international football broadcasts and promoting online gambling websites. The operation, dubbed “Operation VAR,” was carried out by the Cyber Crime Investigation Division in cooperation with broadcasting rights holders, including Jasmine International Plc (JAS) and Mono Max Plc, which legally hold rights to broadcast major football competitions in Thailand. Police said the investigation focused on websites illegally streaming English Premier League matches, other international football competitions, and FIFA World Cup games while displaying banners and advertisements directing users to online gambling platforms. Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner Lt. Gen. Natsak Chawanasai said the operation was intended to curb the promotion of online gambling, particularly during the ongoing World Cup period when viewer interest is high.
Authorities first targeted the website dookeela4.live, which allegedly attracted large audiences by offering unauthorized live sports broadcasts. Raids in Phetchabun and Samut Sakhon provinces led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Pakpoom and Nattabodee. Police said Nattabodee worked as the site’s programmer, managing both front-end and back-end systems, while Pakpoom handled internet infrastructure and uploaded broadcast links. Investigators estimate the site earned between 300,000 and 500,000 baht per month from gambling advertisements. Computers, mobile phones, and servers were seized during the operation. Investigators later traced streaming links to another website, soodaza.com, which allegedly served as a hub for unauthorized football streams and promoted more than 20 online gambling websites linked to the UFA betting network.
Subsequent raids in Udon Thani province resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects, identified as Rojanarin and Kannika. Police said Rojanarin developed and maintained the website’s technical systems, while Kannika acted as an administrator handling advertising clients. Authorities allege the second network generated between 1 million and 2 million baht per month through gambling-related advertising. During the searches, officers seized computers, mobile phones, servers, and approximately 480,000 baht in cash. According to investigators, the two websites attracted exceptionally high traffic. One site reportedly recorded as many as 180,000 concurrent viewers during major matches, while the larger platform attracted up to 380,000 viewers.
Police estimate the economic damage caused by the illegal broadcasts exceeded 100 million baht per month when compared with legal subscription-based streaming services. Officials emphasized that while viewers accessing unauthorized streams are not currently committing a criminal offense under Thai law, they may face risks from gambling promotions, fraud schemes, and online scams commonly embedded within such websites. All four suspects have been charged with jointly promoting and advertising illegal gambling activities through electronic media without authorization.
Authorities said investigations are continuing to identify additional operators, financial backers, and gambling networks connected to the streaming platforms. Rights holders welcomed the arrests, stating that piracy significantly impacts subscription revenues, advertising income, and sponsorship agreements while undermining investments made to legally acquire broadcasting rights. Police said similar operations will continue as authorities seek to dismantle networks that combine copyright infringement with the promotion of online gambling. (TNA)
