Thai Activist Arrested in $30M Online Gambling Probe

Authorities in Thailand have ordered activist Atchariya Ruangrattanapong to stay in custody while investigators probe his alleged links to an illegal online boxing betting ring. Thai Court Orders 12-Day Detention for Activist in Betting Case On 5 October, the Criminal Court in Bangkok approved a 12-day detention period and refused his bail request. Investigators of cybercrime said that if Atchariya were released, he could tamper with evidence or influence witnesses as the investigation continues. The 59-year-old was arrested on October 3 near the Siam Om Noi boxing stadium in Samut Sakhon. He was later interrogated for several hours by officers of the Technology Crime Suppression Division under a court warrant. Atchariya is charged with public fraud, money laundering, illegal electronic betting and breaking Thailand’s computer crime laws. He denies the allegations and says the evidence against him has been tampered with. Police are investigating an online Muay Thai betting ring which they estimate to have handled over THB1 billion ($30 million). Investigators said they found 212 transactions amounting to more than THB40 million ($1.2 million). They believe the transactions link Atchariya or accounts related to him to those involved in the betting operation. Atchariya Challenges Financial Evidence in $30M Betting Case Authorities also investigated financial transactions involving Atchariya’s personal account and an account of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, which he presides over. Police said his personal account had 1,196 transactions worth about THB191 million ($5.7 million) between January 2024 and April 2025. Between 2013 and April 2026, the organization’s account processed another 5,140 transactions totaling approximately THB168 million ($5 million). Investigators are examining whether some donations to help crime victims were diverted to gambling-related activities. Atchariya contests the way the financial records are read. He said the transactions mentioned by investigators have legitimate explanations, denying claims that hundreds of millions of baht were gained through deception. He has also disputed claims about his social media activity. Investigators said Atchariya told them material linked to a Facebook account could not be current because he stopped using Facebook in 2022. According to his account, he now runs a YouTube channel. The activist has also claimed that the case was built by the authorities on the basis of evidence recycled from a previous investigation. He has alleged police planted evidence and sought to target him because of his long-running criticism of law enforcement. Atchariya has previously made public allegations of illegal gambling and police corruption. He turned up at Royal Thai Police headquarters in 2023 alleging senior officers were involved in gambling websites. He said more than 100 officers were involved in such operations. The earlier allegations were not court findings. However, the ongoing investigation has put Atchariya himself in the spotlight following the financial investigation of the alleged betting network. The police say they need more time to question witnesses, analyze forensic material, review financial records and check Atchariya’s background. His detention was therefore extended until October 16.