Thailand\u2019s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has officially\nrecommended that public prosecutors immediately indict MP Chonnaput\nNaksua of the Klatham Party. The politician faces charges of organising\nillegal online gambling, money laundering, transnational crime, and\nillegal association.<\/p>\n
Citing the Bangkok Post, DSI officials have submitted the case files\nto the Attorney General\u2019s Office in Bangkok. The thick dossier contains\napproximately 12,000 pages of evidence detailing the series of\nallegations against Chonnaput, a 36-year-old opposition MP for Songkhla\nprovince.<\/p>\n
As background to the case, Chonnaput is strongly suspected of\ninvolvement in a syndicate operating illegal gambling websites and\nrelated offences in other countries. The Attorney General had previously\ninstructed the DSI to separate Chonnaput\u2019s case from another case\ntargeting a large network of online gambling hosts in southern Thailand,\nwith an alleged cash flow of around 1 billion baht.<\/p>\n
In earlier disclosures, DSI officers raided 10 locations across\nBangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Songkhla. The operation resulted\nin the seizure of assets worth approximately 10 million baht, including\na Toyota Alphard van, luxury bags, and property.<\/p>\n
The DSI has also arrested two women in connection with the case. They\nare among 26 suspects in the earlier southern-region gambling case.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Chonnaput has firmly denied the transnational crime\nallegations against him. He acknowledged that despite his status as a\nmember of parliament, he cannot enjoy legal immunity at this stage of\nthe judicial process, as immunity rights only apply to sitting MPs\nduring interrogation proceedings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am ready to defend myself against all charges,\u201d the Thai MP\nasserted.<\/p>\n
For context, participation in a transnational criminal organisation\ncarries a maximum prison sentence of up to 15 years in Thailand, while\nthe offence of illegal association carries a potential seven-year prison\nterm.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thai-mp-exposed-as-online-gambling-kingpin-and-money-launderer-1787586672", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }