The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has asked prosecutors to indict Panthawat "Nott" Nakwisut, the embattled owner of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform and 16 others on charges of money laundering and gambling.
DSI investigators yesterday submitted their report to public prosecutors at the Attorney-General's Office on Ratchadapisek Road.
Pongsathon Inamnuay, director of the DSI's anti-narcotics centre, said the 17 suspects were among 41 people involved in the case. While four suspects were in prison, 20 others have fled arrest warrants.
Mr Panthawat, better known as "Nott Kong Salak Plus", was the CEO of the popular Kong Salak Plus, which was shut down in February.
DSI investigators have charged him with colluding to launder money as he was found to have taken winning lottery tickets to a man identified as "Foey" to collect cash prizes worth 53 million baht.
The money was later transferred to Mr Panthawat's bank account. The 16 other suspects were involved in opening bank accounts and withdrawing money, according to Mr Pongsathon. All of them were charged with colluding to launder money and organising gambling services.
The DSI is to submit 34 files containing over 10,000 pages against the 17 suspects to public prosecutors.
During questioning, all suspects denied the charges, but investigators had obtained a cashier's cheque as evidence, said Mr Pongsathon.
Mr Panthawat said it was a real cheque but denied the allegations.