Seizure of B50 million assets from a gambling network in the lower northeastern region has been reported, marking their successful dismantling.
A Tale of Tee Yai 888: Thailand's Lucrative Online Gambling Empire Crumbles
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) of Thailand had a bustling Sunday, taking down the notorious Tee Yai 888 online gambling network in a daring move across five provinces. The takedown saw the apprehension of a daring dozen, including the supposed kingpins, a husband-wife duo, Nithithiwat (53) and Nawaporn (30), snatched from their Pattaya vacation villa[2][3].
In this high-stakes operation, approximately 80 officers raided 14 locations across Buri Ram, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani, nabbing administrators, accountants, and mule account owners[2][3].
The clampdown resulted in assets worth an estimated 50 million baht. The loot included a staggering 23 luxurious vehicles, 49 land deeds, 46 pricey luxuries, a stack of 5 gleaming gold bars, a hefty 22 electronic devices, and a pile of financial records[2][3].
Nithithiwat and Nawaporn, the supposed heads of this sprawling network, apparently owned this online gambling operation active in Thailand’s lower Northeast, wreaking havoc on the region's crime and family structures. Many gamblers fell into deep financial crises, while the duo showcased their lavish wealth online[2].
The gambling network had commenced its operations in 2022. Post-bust, it was relaunched with a wide array of illicit activities, including betting on football matches, baccarat, and slot machines[2]. The network derived its funds through many front companies, such as construction and car rental firms, before laundering the revenue[2].
"The network displayed a virtuosic display of clandestine finance, transferring funds through local bank accounts and e-wallets controlled by relatives and associates. The funds were then channeled through mule accounts and completely withdrawn to evade detection," stated Pol Col Suriyasak Jirawat, the head of CSD Sub-division 3 who spearheaded the raids[1][2].
With a grand total of 600 million baht moved over the two years, the network managed to stay under the radar till the authorities moved in[2]. In a surprising revelation, a suspect was picked up in Pattaya on Sunday[3].
- The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) opened investigations into the Tee Yai 888 online casino-gambling network, which was responsible for arrests in five provinces: Buri Ram, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani.
- The daring dozen arrested included the network's kingpins, Nithithiwat and Nawaporn, who were snatched from their Pattaya vacation villa.
- The network, operating under the guise of front companies such as construction and car rental firms, had been laundering funds for illegal casino-games, including football betting, baccarat, and slot machines.
- The arrests and raids resulted in the seizure of assets worth an estimated 50 million baht, including luxurious vehicles, land deeds, pricey luxuries, gold bars, electronic devices, and financial records.
- The Tee Yai 888 gambling network, active in Thailand's lower Northeast, had been causing crime and justice concerns, contributing to financial crises among gamblers and showcasing the lavish wealth of the kingpins on general news platforms.
