Former MP Exposes Poipet Casino Bribe to Digital Minister
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Former Songkhla MP Sirichok Sopa of the Democrat Party posted on Facebook on October 30, 2026, detailing "The Cambodian Connection: Bribe from Poipet." The Star Vegas casino in Poipet was originally owned by the Sukjaroenkraisri family, headed by Sombun Sukjaroenkraisri, known as "Sia Tue Cosmo." Questions remain whether the family remains the true beneficial owner. In 2015, the casino moved under Donaco International, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, but company documents from March 2025 show Sia Tue's two sons still hold 42.17% of shares directly and indirectly. The sons are Techat Sukjaroenkraisri (Lee Bug Huy) and Suriya Sukjaroenkraisri (Lee Bug Tong), the latter later changing his name to Phuwisit Chaiarunroj.
The family is also linked to the Star Paradise (later Winsor) and Paramax casinos in Poipet. In August 2025, Donaco International was acquired by On Nut Road Limited, registered in the British Virgin Islands, and delisted from the Australian exchange, making shareholder tracking difficult. Sirichok questions who truly benefits from a BVI company named "On Nut Road" and whether the original family retains control. This matters because if Thais are behind online gambling serving Thai customers, Thai gambling laws may apply, especially if casino funds flow to political parties.
Suriya ("Kiu") was arrested by Thai police in September 2022 in an online gambling and money laundering case involving over 3 billion baht in circulation and 80 million baht in seized assets. On September 20, 2025, parliament revealed allegations that Suriya offered a 40-million-baht monthly bribe via intermediaries to Digital Minister Chaiyachanok Chidchob of the Bhumjaithai Party in exchange for help avoiding gambling website crackdowns. Suriya denies the allegations. Sirichok argues that if the family truly sold the casino, why would Suriya still be accused of offering such a large bribe to influence enforcement? The story continues with events of November 24, 2025.
