Allegations of Bribery and Financial Irregularities Linked to Poipet Casino

On October 30, 2026, former Democrat Party MP Sirichok Sopha published allegations on his Facebook page regarding a 'Cambodian Connection' involving the Star Vegas casino in Poipet. Sirichok claims that a 40-million-baht bribe was offered to Chaiyachanok to prevent crackdowns on gambling websites. Furthermore, he raised questions about the ownership structure of the casino, noting that while it was transferred to the Australian-listed company Donaco International in 2015, documents from March 2025 suggest that the sons of the original owner, Somboon Sukcharoenkraisri, maintain significant direct and indirect shareholdings. Additionally, Sirichok alleged that a relative of a prominent figure is involved in an oil company that secured a 115-million-baht loan from Phiphat. For residents and travelers, these allegations highlight ongoing concerns regarding the transparency of cross-border gambling operations and their potential links to domestic political and financial networks. As these claims involve serious accusations of corruption and financial impropriety, they remain subject to further investigation. It is currently unconfirmed whether these financial arrangements violate any specific regulations or if the alleged bribery attempt will lead to formal legal proceedings. Observers are waiting for official responses from the parties named in the allegations to clarify the nature of these business and political connections.