Laos Deports 41 Thai Gambling Workers After Crackdown on Illegal Networks

Laos has deported 41 Thai nationals accused of working for online gambling operations after a crackdown in Vientiane that also targeted suspected trafficking and scam networks.

The group, made up of 30 women and 11 men, was handed over to Thai authorities in Nong Khai on August 10. Lao authorities had arrested them during an operation on July 22.

Thai officials found no immediate indication that any of the 41 had been trafficked. None was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant either.

What emerged from the screening was a more specific trail. All 41 had previously worked as gambling website administrators in Cambodia before moving to Laos.

From Cambodia to Vientiane

The workers reportedly left Cambodia after fighting broke out along the Thai-Cambodian border. They crossed back into Thailand and later travelled together through the Nong Khai checkpoint into Laos.

Once in Vientiane, the group rented accommodation and allegedly set up a base for online gambling activity.

During questioning, the returnees acknowledged working for three gambling websites. Their jobs involved administrative duties and required 12-hour shifts.

Pay differed sharply between the operations. Workers connected to Maha Heng 777 were reportedly paid 400 baht a day. Those working for UFA received 15,000 baht a month, while staff linked to 365 were paid 18,000 baht.

The details provide a glimpse into how workers moved between gambling operations across borders, with the same group shifting from Cambodia to Laos before eventually being returned to Thailand.

Part of a wider Lao operation

Their arrests came as Lao authorities intensified action against illegal gambling networks alongside suspected human trafficking and scam operations.

The July 22 operation was not an isolated case. Earlier in the month, Laos returned another 24 Thai nationals to Thailand after authorities linked them to alleged call-centre scam activity. Thai screening later found that two of those returnees were wanted under existing arrest warrants.

In the latest case, there were no such warrants and no trafficking victims were identified among the 41 gambling workers.

Their deportation nonetheless shows the cross-border nature of the networks being targeted. The workers had moved between neighbouring countries, taking administrative roles in online gambling operations before the Lao crackdown brought the arrangement to an end.

Source: thethaiger.com

Laos Deports 41 Thai Gambling Workers After Crackdown on Illegal Networks

From Cambodia to Vientiane

Part of a wider Lao operation

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