Justice Minister Orders DSI Probe Into MP's Husband Gambling Shares
Justice Minister Ruttipol Nawarat has ordered the Department of Special Investigations to probe the online gambling company linked to MP Ideaer’s husband, after rejecting a senior prosecutor’s call to study international law. He said he will summon the MP and her husband to explain the husband’s shareholding in the Curaçao‑licensed firm, and urged critics to re‑watch his full October 6 interview. The minister stressed that any illegal activity in Thailand will be pursued under the Gambling Act, while the DSI continues its investigation.
Justice Minister Ruttipol Nawarat said he wants anyone who criticized his remarks to re-watch the full interview he gave on October 6, 2026, stressing that he never stated that obtaining a foreign licence automatically allows the business to operate in Thailand. He explained that his comments covered two issues: the asset aspect, which should be handled by the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and the matter of certain MPs holding shares in companies that may be involved in fraudulent activities. After learning of the situation, he instructed the DSI to conduct a preliminary check, which found that the company in question had secured a licence in Curaçao but might still violate Thai law. He has already forwarded the case to the Central Investigation Bureau, cyber police and the Anti-Money Laundering Office for further examination, and the DSI has formally taken over the investigation. Responding to the prosecutor’s suggestion that he needs to brush up on international law, the minister said the prosecutor should re‑examine his own statements, pointing out that the ministry has already clarified the relevant legal provisions on its Facebook page. He added that if any wrongdoing is found within Thailand, action will be taken under the Gambling Act of 2478, and he urged the prosecutor to view the complete Oct 6 interview to avoid quoting him out of context.
