Police raid 17 locations with online gambling links

Police raid 17 locations with online gambling links

Home owned by husband of actress Yardthip Rajpal among targets

Police gather outside a luxury home belonging to businessman Mek Rama, husband of actress Yardthip Rajpal, during a raid on Thursday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Police gather outside a luxury home belonging to businessman Mek Rama, husband of actress Yardthip Rajpal, during a raid on Thursday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Police have raided 17 locations, including a luxury home belonging to a Thai actress's husband, with suspected links to online gambling networks.

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police and police commandos launched the raid in Bangkok and surrounding provinces on Thursday to find evidence to prosecute members of the gambling networks, said Pol Gen Torsak Sukwimol, deputy national police chief.

One of the target venues was a luxury home at Soi Yothin Patthana in Bang Kapi district, Bangkok. The house was owned by Phuket hotelier and businessman Mek Rama, husband of actress Yardthip Rajpal.

Mr Mek was present during the raid. The police team searched his house, which had a secret room storing a big safe containing valuable items.

The police team seized assets worth about 1 billion baht from the businessman. Among the seized items were a Ferrari, a BMW and three vans.

Mek Rama, left, is questioned by police. (Photo supplied / Wassayos Ngamkham)

Mr Mek was apprehended on an arrest warrant for colluding in online gambling operation and committing offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. He was taken to the CCIB office in Chaeng Wattana for questioning.

Mr Mek recently grabbed headlines after whistleblower and former massage parlour tycoon Chuvit Kamolvisit exposed major gambling networks and hinted that a husband of a TV actress was allegedly involved in online gambling operations.

On his Facebook post, Mr Chuvit detailed the accused, saying the man with the Thai initial "Mor" spent his luxury life living in a 200-million-baht residence and driving a red Ferrari. He added that this wealthy man was believed to be involved in a football gambling network.

The raids on 17 locations in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Sa Kaeo and Phitsanulok resulted in nine arrests, said Pol Lt Gen Worawat Watnakhornbancha, the CCIB commissioner.

More details of the police operations would be disclosed on Friday, he said.

Last month, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) confiscated a 200-milion-baht penthouse belonging to Mr Mek for alleged involvement in the Forex-3D Ponzi scheme.

The 36-year-old actress declined to comment on the confiscation of the penthouse, but earlier insisted that her husband was not involved in the Forex-3D scam.

Yardthip Rajpal (File photo)


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (23)

10 billion global population unsustainable, says climate envoy Kerry

OSLO: US special climate envoy John Kerry told AFP that the world's population will not be tenable in 2050, when it is projected to hit nearly 10 billion, but refrained from asking Americans to give up steaks.

10:45

China is building the most powerful warship radar on record

Chinese scientists have revealed that construction has begun of a radar system that could shift the balance of naval power in the world's oceans with its ability to detect incoming missiles from thousands of kilometres away.

10:39

Move Forward's use of hammer and sickle challenged in complaint

The Move Forward Party said the Election Commission has asked why it included a hammer and sickle in its campaign cartoon, after a complaint that it suggested opposition to the constitutional monarchy.

10:26