Thailand’s efforts to dismantle scam syndicates and “grey businesses” are faltering because powerful political and bureaucratic figures are allegedly taking bribes and shielding criminal networks, according to the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT).
The warning, reported by local outlet The Nation, comes as the government intensifies its campaign against illicit financial flows and online gambling.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, ACT chairman Mana Nimitmongkol said the country continues to “catch only small operators,” while masterminds behind online gambling networks, scam compounds, and money-laundering rings remain untouched due to “dark power and connections.” He cited recent scandals implicating ministers, parliament members, a former national police chief, and more than 200 police officers in activities ranging from online gambling and narcotics trafficking to underground businesses and corruption.
Mana referenced whistleblowing by former deputy national police chief Surachet Hakparn, who played a key role in exposing alleged ties between senior officials and illegal enterprises. High-profile cases include the Tu Hao and Jinling pub operations, Yu Xinqi’s illegal visa scheme that brought 7,000 Chinese nationals into Thailand, the Inspector Sua gambling network, the Minnie case, and the 888 online betting platform. He also noted investigations into senior police linked to oil smuggling and the indictment of a former senator tied to transnational crime and illicit operations along the Myanmar border.
The Anti-Corruption chief also questioned how Cambodian tycoons Kok An and Ly Yong Phat, along with their families, were granted Thai citizenship—later revoked—saying authorities have yet to clarify how the approvals were issued. Mana estimated that Thailand loses more than THB100 billion ($3.1 billion) each year to scam networks, arguing that outdated narcotics, gambling, fraud, and computer-crime laws hinder efforts to trace financial trails leading to influential figures.
His comments come as the government prepares a nationwide crackdown on suspicious financial flows. Earlier this month, as reported by AGB, Thailand announced a plan to establish a special task force to track online gambling proceeds, scam-related funds, and other irregular transfers that may be propping up the baht.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the new “data bureau” would link information across agencies and financial institutions, with operations expected to begin by December.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed Ekniti to lead the initiative under a “Connect the Dots” framework with the Bank of Thailand. Anutin described the move as an “all-out war” on financial crime, saying the government has “signed a blank check” to empower authorities against scammers, human traffickers, and drug-smuggling networks.
Officials say illicit funds often move through cryptocurrency platforms, informal cash hubs, and gold markets before being laundered into high-value assets such as real estate, diamonds, and luxury vehicles. Thailand also plans to update its monitoring standards to align with global rules set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), while the Bank of Thailand has ordered lenders to strengthen due-diligence checks.
