Bangkok –
Po Arnon, publicly known by his nickname “Sia Po”, along with his 11 family members and employees were arrested in Bangkok today, February 4th, for reportedly hosting online gambling without permission and money laundering.
The arrest took place at one of Sia Po’s places on Phetkasem Road in the Phasicharoen district of Bangkok at about 6:00 AM. His wife, brother, and sister-in-law who were found at the place were also taken under police custody, along with another eight employees.
A large amount of 2.5 million-baht cash, 9-mm firearms and 11 rounds of ammunition, 65 book banks, and 39 mobile phones, with a total worth of over 18 million baht, were also discovered and confiscated at the house.
Police General Damrongsak Kittipat, the deputy commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Office, announced that the 12 arrested people were among 31 suspects who were reportedly being involved with an online gambling network in Thailand.
According to the general, Sia Po and his associates had operated and posted advertisements on his six online gambling business since 2019. Police sought the closure of their gambling websites and started expanding the investigation four months ago.
Sia Po was notoriously known among Thai people for his gray business. He had earned a tremendous amount of income from the business. Most of his income had allegedly been transferred to his relatives before turning them into valuable assets such as luxury cars and land, or distributions such as making merit, and donations for unfortunate locals. Sia Po is a divisive figure with many complimenting his numerous charity efforts but others bringing up where the money allegedly comes from.
Sia Po was wanted and arrested by Royal Thai Police several times over similar charges related to his online gambling business and money laundering. He is currently facing legal charges from the Criminal Court in two cases filed by the Phasi Charoen Police Station and Bang Khen Police Station.
He and his associates are initially charged with allegedly hosting and posting advertisements about online gambling without permission and money-laundering. They are currently under police custody for further interrogation.
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