Thailand Issues Warrant for Arrest of Cambodian Casino Mogul Kok An
In a significant development, Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Kok An, a powerful Cambodian senator, over his alleged role in running transnational scamming operations out of the Crown Casino complex in Poipet, a notorious Cambodian gambling town.
Kok An, who is one of the richest men in Cambodia and the owner of the Crown Casino, has been under investigation for these activities. The raids on properties linked to Kok An in 19 locations across Thailand, carried out by the Royal Thai Police, were a significant development, according to Benedikt Hofmann, acting UNODC representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
The escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia due to the arrest warrant could inflame already volatile relations related to disputed border territories. In May 2025, a military skirmish occurred in the disputed Preah Vihear-Nam Yuen region that saw an exchange of gunfire between Thai and Cambodian forces, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Both sides blame the other for the incident, and the situation remains volatile.
The arrest warrant could strain already tense Thai-Cambodian relations. Reports suggest that Poipet, where the Crown Casino is located, has been identified as a hub for cybercrime and human trafficking. Poipet's scam centers have been tied to trafficking networks that recruit vulnerable individuals from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and beyond.
In 2022, a Thai national who fled Poipet detailed a sophisticated extortion scheme at the Crown Casino, involving individuals wearing authentic Thai police uniforms, including former officers, extorting victims with fabricated charges and threats of prison. The same year, another Thai national fell to his death from an 18-story tower inside the Crown Casino complex, allegedly while attempting to flee captivity.
Despite public crackdowns, much of the infrastructure related to these scams remains intact, according to observers. Kok An has close ties to Cambodia's dictatorial leader Hun Sen, which has raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the ongoing investigations.
Thailand has recently banned its citizens from crossing into Cambodian border towns like Poipet to work in casinos, indicating governmental concern about such cross-border casino activities. Casinos in Poipet remain a significant part of Cambodia’s gaming industry and attract regional customers, but specific scandal or scam details connected to Crown Casino are not presented in available sources.
As the investigation into Kok An and the Crown Casino continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact Thai-Cambodian relations and the wider gaming industry in the region. Further inquiry from law enforcement reports or in-depth investigations would be required to provide a comprehensive answer.
- The arrest warrant for Kok An, a Cambodian senator and owner of the Crown Casino Poipet, is linked to his alleged involvement in running transnational scamming operations.
- The raid on properties linked to Kok An by the Royal Thai Police, coupled with the escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, has led to concerns about the impact on Thai-Cambodian relations.
- Poipet, home to the Crown Casino, has been identified as a hub for cybercrime and human trafficking, withscam centers reportedly connected to trafficking networks that recruit individuals from various countries.
- Despite public crackdowns, much of the infrastructure related to scams at the Crown Casino remains intact, with concerns raised about potential political interference in the ongoing investigations due to Kok An's close ties to Cambodia's dictatorial leader Hun Sen.
