An arrest warrant has been issued for Narote Piriyarangsan, who failed to attend the sentencing hearing on April 27, according to a court source, reports the Bangkok Post.
Narote was one of nine defendants in the case and the only one to be granted release on bail after the indictments were handed down on Oct 31, 2025.
The defendant is the son of former senator Sangsit Piriyarangsan, an economist and expert on corruption and gambling.
Narote, who was 33 at the time, was apprehended in July 2024 for allegedly owning and operating a payment system for an online gambling network. Police confiscated assets worth more than B400 million.
The court found that between Dec 28, 2023, and May 27, 2024, the group operated illegal online gambling platforms via electronic media, attracting users through publicly accessible websites linked to bank accounts.
Investigators determined the network functioned through organised roles, including website managers, system administrators, mule account holders and payment processors linked to the VPay and Heng Pay systems. Users were required to transfer funds into designated accounts before gaining access.
The court also found the group conspired to launder money by registering front companies disguised as online retail businesses to obtain QR code payment systems. Transactions linked to the scheme exceeded B2 billion.
Narote received the heaviest sentence due to his central role in managing the network and overseeing payment channels used to move and conceal illicit funds. Although the combined sentence totalled 132 years and six months, the effective term is capped at 20 years under Thai law.
Other defendants were handed varying penalties. Narayut Narakaew, the owner of the gambling website 69pgslot.com, received 17 years and 8 months in prison for promoting or enabling illegal online gambling and money laundering.
Several corporate entities were fined between B1mn and B13.7mn, while two individuals were jailed for one year and eight months each.
Assets linked to the offences, including land, jewellery and luxury vehicles, were ordered confiscated by the court.