Bangkok: The House Committee on Anti-Money Laundering has conducted an inspection of five Chinese restaurants in the Huai Khwang-Sutthisan area, uncovering potential illicit activities. The investigation, led by the House of Representatives' Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Narcotics, found equipment linked to online gambling, ledgers showing transactions amounting to hundreds of thousands of baht, and employment of undocumented foreign workers.
According to Thai News Agency, the first location inspected was a restaurant doubling as a shrimp fishing pond in the Sam Sen Nok Subdistrict. Officers discovered items such as dice, towels, lighters promoting online gambling websites, e-cigarettes, and fireworks. These items were collected as evidence and forwarded for further investigation. A ledger detailing substantial daily income and expenses was also found.
The second site, a mala restaurant in Soi Pracha Uthit 24, mostly catered to Chinese customers and displayed advertising signs in Chinese. The third location, another shrimp fishing pond in Soi Ratchadaphisek 18, showed no illegal activities. The fourth and fifth locations, a spa and a mala restaurant on Ratchadaphisek Road, were also inspected for irregularities.
Mr. Pitakdet Detchadecho, Chairman of the Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Narcotics, reported that some establishments had customers transfer money to personal accounts, while others used company accounts for payments. The findings will be forwarded to relevant agencies to determine if these activities constitute money laundering.
The investigation also revealed that most employees were undocumented foreign workers, with some raw materials imported without FDA certification. At least three individuals have been identified as offenders and are subject to legal action.