BANGKOK — Immigration police arrested a Malaysian man at Don Mueang Airport immediately upon his arrival, in connection with the notorious HYDRA888 gambling website that allegedly facilitated money circulation worth over 11.52 billion baht.
Steven Choong, a 26-year-old Malaysian national, was apprehended on July 9 after arriving from Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia. He was arrested while passing through the international arrivals hall at Don Mueang Airport.
The arrest was made under a Nonthaburi Provincial Court warrant issued on December 16, 2024, on charges of jointly operating unauthorized online gambling and conspiring to launder money. He was subsequently transferred to the Technology Crime Investigation Division 2.
Investigations revealed that Steven owned a sports goods warehouse company that was allegedly used as a channel for money circulation from the HYDRA888 online gambling website, with an annual money flow exceeding 11.52 billion baht ($353 million).
HYDRA888 made major headlines in February this year when the Technology Crime Investigation Division raided the network but failed to capture Mr. Khanaphon Wichaikij, also known as “Top,” the website’s owner who had fled to Vietnam.
However, cyber police did arrest Ms. Suthida, a 30-year-old woman from Nakhon Ratchasima province, who was found to be closely associated with Khanaphon and involved in receiving benefits from the operation.
The arrest of the Malaysian suspect follows the policy of Police General Kittirat Phanphet, the Royal Thai Police Commissioner, who has ordered immigration officers to strengthen measures to prevent and suppress transnational crimes, particularly focusing on investigating and arresting technology crime networks and money laundering operations.
The arrest demonstrates Thailand’s continued efforts to crack down on international gambling networks and their associated money laundering activities.
_____