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Police Chief Orders Strict Online Gambling Crackdown; 4M+ Gen Z Involved

Police Chief Orders Strict Online Gambling Crackdown; 4M+ Gen Z Involved

Thairath•Society•5h ago

Reader Briefing

Thai police are intensifying efforts to combat online gambling, particularly targeting Gen Z, with over 4 million young individuals reportedly drawn into the scene in the first half of 2026.

  • •The Royal Thai Police are implementing strict measures to suppress all forms of online gambling.
  • •From October 2025 to May 2026, over 710,000 online gambling URLs were blocked.
  • •More than 4 million individuals from Gen Z (ages 15-25) have been identified as actively participating in online gambling.
  • •The crackdown will be escalated, especially with the upcoming World Cup, utilizing AI for faster detection and blocking.

Overview

  • •Police General Kittirat Phanpetch has ordered an emphatic crackdown on all forms of online gambling, directing all relevant units to use all measures.
  • •From October 1, 2025, to May 20, 2026, the Royal Thai Police and related agencies blocked 717,425 gambling websites and social media platforms.
  • •The Command Center for the Suppression of Online Gambling Crime (ศปอส.ตร.) is targeting 309 specific gambling websites in May and June 2026.
  • •Police are urging youth to avoid involvement in online gambling, especially during the June 2026 World Cup.
  • •More than 4 million individuals aged 15-25 (Gen Z) reportedly entered the online gambling cycle in early 2026.
  • •Online gambling networks are evolving from traditional 'mule' accounts to corporate accounts, PayPal, international intermediary accounts, and cryptocurrencies.
  • •Online gambling platforms are using disguised ads through influencers, live streams, and short videos to attract individuals facing economic difficulties.
  • •The police are pursuing legal action against influencers who promote online gambling and warn against participation.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Police General Kittirat Phanpetch
"Ordered to emphatically supervise the crackdown on all forms of online gambling, directing all relevant units to use all measures, including investigation and serious continuous suppression, as well as preventing access or blocking websites and social media channels on all platforms."
สั่งการกำชับการปราบปรามพนันออนไลน์ทุกรูปแบบอย่างเด็ดขาด โดยให้ทุกหน่วยที่เกี่ยวข้องใช้ทุกมาตรการ ทั้งการสืบสวนและปราบปรามอย่างจริงจังต่อเนื่อง รวมถึงการป้องกันการเข้าถึง หรือการปิดกั้นเว็บไซต์ และช่องทางโซเชียลมีเดียทุกแพลตฟอร์ม

Key Entities

Person

Police General Kittirat Phanpetch(ผบ.ตร.)
The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, ordering a crackdown on online gambling.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Piewpan(พล.ต.ท.ไตรรงค์ ผิวพรรณ)
Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police and Deputy Director of the IT Crime Suppression Center, also serving as the spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police.
Pol. Gen. Thana Chuawong(พล.ต.อ.ธนา ชูวงษ์)
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Command Center for the Suppression of Online Gambling Crime.
Generation Z(Gen Z)ℹ️
The demographic group aged 15-25 identified as being significantly involved in online gambling.

Organization

Command Center for the Suppression of Online Gambling Crime (ศปอส.ตร.)(ศปอส.ตร.)
A unit within the Royal Thai Police focused on suppressing online gambling and arresting related networks.