The Thai boxing sensation, known by his nickname Suttiwat, has been taken into custody by authorities. He is accused of promoting gambling advertisements on his social media account. This information has been confirmed by Thailand's Central Bureau of Investigation and the Technological Crime Suppression Department.
The 30-year-old athlete admitted to owning the account where the illegal ads were posted and explained that he had been “compensated by the gambling site's owner to share the advertisement” in his stories, earning 1,500 baht ($45) for each post.
Law enforcement is currently gathering evidence to formally charge the boxer.
It's worth noting that Thailand is actively combating unlicensed online gambling, even as discussions regarding potential legalisation are ongoing. A survey by the Casino Committee of Thailand in 2022 revealed that over 80% of participants support the establishment of legal casinos. However, existing prohibitions remain in effect. In April of this year, Thailand implemented a new policy categorising illegal gambling as a serious economic offence.
The Thai authorities emphasise that any form of gambling promotion is a grave violation of the law, urging citizens to report suspicious activities to help uphold law and order.
This crackdown is illustrated by the Royal Thai Police's actions during the UEFA tournament from June 14 to July 14, which led to the arrest of approximately 2,600 individuals linked to illegal gambling activities.
