Ten former and current Thai Members of Parliament (MPs) have been exposed for being involved with scam and gambling networks in the country. Thailand’s Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon Naowarat has said that an operation to put them behind bars could be undertaken.
Naowarat has said that there’s concern over potential political issues that stem from illegally obtained money. It’s a possibility that illegal vote buying could be undertaken if the MPs decide to run again.
All kinds of gambling, bar the country’s lottery and horse racing, are illegal in Thailand. The Justice Minister said that he’s been working with the cyber police team to issue guidelines on how to tackle any problems that arise.
During investigations, it was found that ten undisclosed MPs were involved with online gambling in some form. According to Thairath, an outlet from the country, this data has come from the cyber police, Royal Thai Police, and the Department of Special Investigation, which have been cooperating on the case.
Arrests expected for Thai MPs embroiled in gambling case
It’s expected that arrests will take place soon; the issue has caused a headache for the Justice Minister. On Facebook, he was criticized for his response to a post asking about the case. In it, Naowarat responded with a no, which he claims was misinterpreted by the MP candidate, Rangsiman Rome.
Acting Justice Minister Flags MPs Tied to Online Gambling and Scams
Acting Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon Naowarat said authorities maintain a database of more than 10 current and former MPs suspected of links to online gambling, scams, and drug-related activities.… pic.twitter.com/yM6Nnv4SKP
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) January 8, 2026
Naowarat states in an interview about the matter that his answer had caused miscommunication and incorrect information to be spread. Rome took his response to mean that there wasn’t any corruption within the government.
Thailand was about to have a slight change of heart regarding gambling in 2025. The Entertainment Complex Bill was being proposed to introduce legal gambling zones that would be contained within locations like hotels. While backed by the previous prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, it’s now dead as the current Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, is anti-gambling.
Featured image: Thairath News via YouTube / Canva