Ex-Muay Thai Champion “Puenkon Tor Surat” Arrested in US $2.7 M Online Gambling Network Bust

Thai cyber-police have detained former Muay Thai champion Weerapong “Puenkon Tor Surat” in a major crackdown on an illegal online gambling network reportedly generating about THB 100 million (≈ US $2.7 million) annually.

Authorities say the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) traced suspicious transactions from the gambling site g2g69bet, which is alleged to have been administered by the ex-fighter in collusion with a wider ring. On the day of the arrests, police simultaneously raided nine locations across Chonburi and Lamphun provinces, seizing mobile phones, bank records, ATM cards and computers.

The investigation indicates the network operated for several years and catered to Thai bettors despite regulatory bans on unlicensed online gambling. One of the arrested administrators was identified as Prawit (27), a “cash-handling” coordinator, while Puenkon is believed to have been a key behind-the-scenes figure.

Police officials have described the operation’s scale as “deeply concerning”, citing the rapid turnover and the former athlete’s prominence. The arrest raises broader questions about the intersection of sports, celebrity status and illegal gambling in Thailand. Analysts say the case may prompt tighter enforcement against online betting platforms, stricter scrutiny of sports figures linked to gambling, and enhanced compliance requirements for payment systems.