Military forces in Myanmar have issued an arrest warrant for the owner of a luxury casino hotel on the holiday island of Thahtay Kyun. U Kyaw Lwin is wanted in Thailand for money laundering and operating illegal gambling sites that target Thai residents, among other charges.
His Grand Andaman casino hotel closed in the wake of the warrant.
The casino magnate is also accused of tax fraud, which allegedly cost the Thai government US$277 million in lost revenues, as well as smuggling fuel.
As part of the probe, Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced that it had raided 27 addresses linked to the Kofuk criminal network in Thailand, seizing high-end vehicles, jewelry and other items of value. They also searched U Kyaw Lwin’s home in Ranong, Thailand.
DSI Deputy Director General Yutthana Praedam told reporters that seven of 18 suspects have been detained, including U Kyaw Lin’s wife, but “the hotel owner, the main culprit, has not yet been arrested.” Yutthana said the casino owner, a Myanmar national with Thai citizenship, is believed to be somewhere in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, news outlet The Irawaddy reports that the wanted man’s youngest brother, U Htay Win, died while under police interrogation. No other details were immediately available.
According to Inside Asian Gaming, both Myanmar and Thailand are pursuing the fugitive due to pressure from China, which is continuing its crackdown on iGaming.
U Kyaw Lwin’s resort, based on a 1,800-acre island, included spas, karaoke lounges and beauty salons as well as a casino, and employed about 1,500 people.
