Ratchaburi queen’s gamble: Beauty queen bets on confessing

A beauty queen from Ratchaburi voluntarily turned herself in to the police after realising the illegality of promoting gambling websites. This incident serves as a stern warning to influencers and freelancers about the importance of scrutinising the nature of their work engagements.

According to a post shared by the page Puukarn Jae, managed by Police Major General Chatpantakarn Klayklueng, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1, the individual in question acknowledged her wrongdoing and took responsibility by surrendering to the police.

In a video posted online, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatpantakarn addressed cybercrime threats and the role of the police in combating such issues.

“A beauty queen from Ratchaburi has come forward to meet with investigators, admitting that promoting gambling websites is unlawful. We have shut down tens of thousands of such websites.”

The Thai Gambling Act of 1935, specifically Section 12, outlines severe penalties for anyone found organising, deceiving, or publicly advertising gambling activities. Violators could face imprisonment ranging from three months to three years and fines between 500 and 5,000 baht (US$14 to US$140). Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatpantakarn emphasised the importance of understanding the severity of these offences.

“If you know it’s wrong, come to the cyber police. Don’t wait for an arrest warrant. Avoid wrongdoing from the start.”

The beauty queen’s case, although a cautionary tale, does not absolve her from facing legal repercussions. Her actions might jeopardise her future career prospects, reported KhaoSod.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatpantakarn also issued a broader warning to influencers and freelancers to carefully review the nature of their work.

“Be thorough before accepting any job. Think carefully about the consequences.”

In related news, police arrested a Thai TikTok star at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on July 30, after discovering she was operating a gambling website with over 4 billion baht in circulation.

Officers from the Special Operation Unit for the Prevention and Suppression of Digital Crimes from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) arrested the 29 year old Thai woman named Chutima, also known as Soda on the TikTok app, for her gambling website called Zigma911.