Six more face charges over MP gambling link

The Attorney General has instructed the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) to file charges against six more unnamed individuals for alleged involvement in an online gambling platform linked to Kla Tham MP for Songkhla province, Chonnapat Naksua.

The DSI said that it has already issued a warrant for the arrest of one of the six. As for the five others, the DSI said that the search for additional evidence has been stepped up.

Chonnapat is facing multiple charges linked to an online gambling network, ranging from being a member of a criminal organisation, a conviction for which is subject to imprisonment for up to seven years, and being a member of a transnational criminal organisation, which carries a sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted.

In May, the DSI sought permission from parliament for the arrest of the Kla Tham MP, to stand trial for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling, but the House rejected the request by 308 votes to 126.

The embattled MP said that he is, however, willing to turn himself in to DSI officials after parliament goes into recess.

In March, the Transactions Committee of the Anti-Money Laundering Office ordered the confiscation of 158 million baht in assets from Chonnapat and his associates.