A well-known Thai football commentator was arrested by Thai cyber police for allegedly promoting online gambling during live football analysis sessions on TikTok.
According to Thai media reports, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Thailand conducted a raid on Tuesday (7th) at an apartment in the Huai Khwang District of Bangkok, arresting a suspect named Jaruwa, aged 44. During the operation, police seized a laptop and a tablet.
Police revealed that online patrol officers had previously identified a TikTok account named “Jor Luk Nang Wow77Dao”. The account has over 5,000 followers and has accumulated 14,800 likes.
According to police, the account regularly posted football analysis videos and hosted live match commentaries, promoting Jaruwa as an “experienced football expert”, and then used this as an opportunity to lure viewers to join online gambling platforms.
It was reported that this promotional content would direct viewers to contact a specified LINE account, with links to two gambling websites attached. In order to attract new members, these gambling platforms also launched promotions in which new users who deposit 300 to 2,000 Thai baht (about RM36 to RM244) could receive gifts such as jerseys, backpacks, water bottles, and hats.
Police stated that when law enforcement officers raided the premises, Jaruwa had just finished a live analysis of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium and was resting in the apartment.
Jaruwa confessed to the crimes without resistance. He admitted that he had been engaged in this work for two months, earning a monthly salary of 50,000 Thai baht (about RM6,111).
Currently, police have filed charges against Jaruwa, including publishing gambling advertisements without authorization, inducing others to participate in gambling, and violating Thailand’s Gambling Act. He has been handed over to investigators of the CCIB's First Division for subsequent legal proceedings.