Former Tennis Star Arrested In Gambling Den At Luxury House In Chiang Mai

Jatuporn Na Lamphun

A former rising tennis star and four accomplices were arrested yesterday for allegedly operating an illegal online gambling den at a luxury house in Chiang Mai.

The arrest took place at Supalai Parkville Chang Phueak villa in Muang district where the operation was being run by Jatuporn Na Lamphun, 28, Pittawas Bunyaratsiri, 30, Seksan Chantapoon, 24, Thammarak Prakotphon, 24, and Jessadakorn Hongthong, 23.

Pol Col Nopparit Kanta, superintendent of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, yesterday said the group was promoting the “www.imiheng.com” website which it said offered various types of gambling, including bets on football matches and online baccarat games.

A search warrant was issued by Chiang Mai District Court on Saturday after evidence showed the website belonged to Jatuporn, a former tennis prodigy who was banned from tennis for 18 months for gambling offences under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme.