Illegal Online Gambling Site
Thai police have jailed three Chinese nationals operating an illegal online gambling den in Chiang Mai. According to authorities, they received tip-offs from locals who became suspicious of constant activity at a rented house.
Consequently, police conducted a raid on the property in San Sai district. In particular, officers from the Provincial Police Region 5 and the Tech Crime Suppression Centre spearheaded the operation.
Gambling Website using Rented Property
The suspects, between 29 and 30 years old, used the house as a base for the gambling site “GO 1818.” Specifically, this Chinese-language site primarily targeted users in mainland China.
During the raid, police confiscated three laptops, seven mobile phones, and several internet routers. Notably, the suspects had rented the house since September 2024, paying 22,000 baht monthly.
Chinese on Student Visas
Originally entering Thailand on tourist visas, the men later switched to student visas. To do this, they enrolled in local language schools. As such, this allowed them to remain in Thailand legally while running the gambling operation.
Each suspect reportedly earned about 50,000 baht per month from the scheme. Additionally, investigators believe the head of the operation is in China.
Overall, this case highlights growing abuse of Thailand’s visa system by foreign criminals. Therefore, authorities are now reviewing current visa policies and school registration procedures.
Formal Charges
The three men face charges for promoting illegal online gambling via electronic media without a license. Notably, this is a direct violation of Thailand’s Gambling Act of 1935.
Police also stated that immigration authorities are reviewing their visa status. As a result, authorities may blacklist the men may and deport them after serving any sentences.
Gambling Crackdown Reflects Trends
This arrest follows a broader crackdown on cybercrime across Thailand. On June 17, a similar case in Pattaya exposed Chinese nationals running an illegal loan app service.
Across Southeast Asia, Chinese criminal networks continue to exploit student and tourist visa loopholes. Moreover, investigations show expansion into other regions like Africa, where online fraud and gambling are also increasing. According to cybersecurity analysts, these networks often base operations in countries with weak law enforcement.
Police Call for Stronger Oversight
Pol. Lt Gen Krittapol Yeesakhorn said the gambling operation was sophisticated and well-organized. Therefore, he urged educational institutions and immigration officers to perform more thorough background checks.
He also warned that student visa abuse poses national security risks. Therefore, stronger cross-agency coordination will be necessary to prevent future exploitation.
Investigations and Policy Reforms
Thailand continues to tighten its visa regulations. Following this arrest, immigration officials plan to audit all active student visas issued in the past 12 months.
In addition, lawmakers are considering reforms to regulate the online gambling industry. Correspondingly, these measures could help prevent criminal misuse while generating tax revenue.
Meanwhile, the three suspects remain in custody pending prosecution. Authorities expect their arrest to trigger more regional cooperation between Thailand and China on transnational cybercrime.
Photo: Freepik
