Following a raid of nine separate locations, Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has arrested Weerapong (Puenkon Tor Surat), a former Muay Thai champion over allegations of his involvement in an illicit gambling network in Thailand.
According to reports, Weerapong, who was accused of being a leader in the lucrative network, admitted to wrongdoing during questioning by Thai authorities.
As the debate over Thailand’s integrated resorts bill stagnates amidst government changes, the country’s law enforcement is clearly placing a heightened focus on publicising efforts to tackle and eradicate illicit actors through a myriad of raids and arrests.
Few are as headline-grabbing as this one, with it reading like a Hollywood film script as the ringleader is adecorated, heavily tattooed Thai flyweight champion, even being named the 2016 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year.
His career had been on a downward spiral though and after being considered one of the most acclaimed fighters in Thailand’s talent-rich lighter weights, he was on a losing streak as he approached his late 30s.
It was alleged that the former icon was at the heart of operating a site called “g2g69bet”, which even landed turnover in excess of 100 million baht over a three year period.
Weerapong had stated that what had originally started as a side hustle descended into his main source of income as his combat sports career dwindled, acting as a cautionary tale for athletes.
As a result of the action taken, Thai authorities raided a total of nine locations, with eight suspects being arrested in the sophisticated widespread network.
A Rocky comeback story for regulation?
It was widely anticipated that Thailand would embrace regulation under the government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. However, turmoil at the top saw the hopes of the desecrated.
Speaking at the SBC Summit in Lisbon, Lau Kok Keng, Head of Intellectual Property, Sports & Gaming, Rajah & Tan Singapore, expressed disappointment over the downfall of the bill and the political convolution that led to it.
Kok Keng, who was a key figure in shaping the widely praised ‘gold standard’ framework of Singapore, emphasised that it is vital to have a full understanding of Thai culture and history to gain a true understanding of why the bill failed.
Newly appointed Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, recently dismissed the chances of gambling legislation being put back on the table, telling local media: “If someone says gambling can stimulate the economy, I’d say wait for another prime minister.
“Don’t wait for me, as I don’t agree with this approach. While I was the interior minister, I also said poker shouldn’t be allowed. But once I left, they went ahead with it. We must bring righteousness and justice back to our nation.”
Yet, Kok Keng expressed optimism as he revealed that the statements from the new government have led to criticism.
He added that although right now, proposals and initiatives to establish casinos in Thailand seem to be all but dead, he believes “the story may not be finished”.
