MP's Husband Holds 1% Stake in Illegal Gambling Site
MP Sukhada Ideer of Bhumjaithai admitted her husband holds a 1% stake in an illegal online gambling website, prompting a complaint to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission over possible false asset declarations and ethics violations. Opposition MPs, especially Rangsiman Rome of the Move Forward Party, accuse authorities of hesitating to act for fear the scandal could reach ministers. The Bhumjaithai party insists it will not shield its members but expects full compliance with asset‑declaration laws.
The issue keeps expanding as attention turns to the wealth of Bhumjaithai MP Sukhada Ideer from Chaiyaphum, a female lawmaker under public scrutiny, especially regarding her husband Tai Yang Shang’s livelihood. She recently acknowledged that her husband owns just a 1% stake in an online gambling site, a fact that left listeners stunned. The government, led by Anutin’s administration, has declared a hard line against gambling and scammer networks, vowing to eradicate them. Recently, a petition was submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission requesting an investigation and opinion on whether Ideer’s asset and debt declaration, including that of her spouse, is false, and whether the admission of a 1% gambling‑website stake constitutes a violation of serious ethical standards. The outcome depends on whether the NACC will accept the case for investigation and ruling. Meanwhile, political opponents are sure to press the matter further, hoping to implicate other Bhumjaithai members. In particular, Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome noted that no agency has yet clarified or acted on Ideer’s admission that her husband holds gambling‑website shares, questioning whether authorities are hesitant because they fear the issue could reach certain ministers. “MP Sukhada has already said she has shares; the percentage isn’t important, but holding shares in an illegal gambling website is. With this information out, the question is whether state agencies will truly remain idle,” Rome said. He also affirmed he will continue using the parliamentary legal committee’s authority to summon relevant agencies for clarification, including Ideer and her husband, who have so far remained silent despite previous invitations. As for the Bhumjaithai party, its government whip chairman Koravee Prisanananantakul said the party does not abandon its MPs, urging everyone to face scrutiny: “We do not dodge inspection; it is the individual’s duty to declare assets clearly and lawfully. The party stands by the rule that no one is above the law, and everyone in parliament must respect it. When asset declarations are required, they must be filed correctly and transparently; those who file incorrectly will be dealt with according to law. We are not shielding anyone, but we are not abandoning our comrades either.” Observers warn that if the Ideer case drags on without a clear investigation, public skepticism will grow and the opposition will have fresh material to attack.