In the first five months of fiscal 2024 (starting October 2023), the Thai government blocked access to more than 60,000 “inappropriate links”, including about 25,000 illegal online gambling sites.
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| Thailand tries to block illegal websites. (Illustration photo) |
Speaking on March 31, Thai government deputy spokesman Kenikar Oonjit said the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) had blocked access to 60,681 links deemed to provide illegal or inappropriate information to the Thai public from October 2023 to March 5, 2024.
Among the blocked links were 25,571 online gambling sites, Kenikar said, a 1,141% increase from the same period in fiscal 2023.
Under Thai law, those caught operating online gambling sites face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and/or a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($5,500). Those who advertise or refer others to gambling sites face a maximum prison sentence of 2 years and/or a fine of 2,000 baht ($55).
Ms Kenikar stressed that the government urged the public not to trust advertisements on gambling websites as they could be scammed and lose money.
Thai police on March 2 also seized assets worth 329 million baht and arrested four suspects in a crackdown on online gambling.
Following a crackdown on illegal online gambling, Thai police investigated a website called Fullplays 39 and found that the website offered online gambling games with more than 200,000 members. The amount of money circulating on this website was more than 480 million Baht per month.
Further investigation led to the issuance of arrest warrants for 16 suspects, including 1 gambling business shareholder, 1 website administrator, 2 finance employees and 12 "money mule" account holders (a fairly common money laundering method).
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