BANGKOK, Thailand – The government is expanding its nationwide crackdown on mule bank accounts, mule SIM cards, and online gambling networks after enforcement operations uncovered more than 20 billion baht in financial circulation linked to World Cup gambling. The Royal Thai Police are now working alongside the Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to disrupt financial channels used by cybercrime networks.
Authorities reported that between October 1, 2025, and July 19, 2026, they handled 1,441 online gambling cases, 787 cases involving illegal online platforms, and 3,106 cases related to the illegal online sale of firearms. The operations resulted in 3,131 arrests and the seizure of 4,088 firearms, 242,808 rounds of ammunition, 162 explosive devices, and 877 additional pieces of evidence.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said that during a World Cup gambling operation conducted between June 6 and July 19, authorities took action against 4,576 gambling websites, arrested 617 operators and 8,181 online gamblers, and uncovered more than 20.463 billion baht in financial circulation. In July alone, officials also targeted 137 major gambling websites with financial turnover exceeding 10 million baht, arrested 325 suspects, uncovered 10.75 billion baht in financial circulation, and blocked 557,924 URLs.
Authorities are preparing to establish the AOGC Online Gambling Suppression Center, which will use intelligent detection technology to identify illegal gambling websites, monitor online firearms sales, and support cybercrime investigations. Officials will also expand investigations into individuals promoting online gambling through social media while warning that those who open or provide mule accounts, or recruit others to do so, face prison terms, substantial fines, or both under Thai law. (NNT)
