Members of Department of Special Investigation raided the houses of 18 businessmen in Thailand, including the home of the owner of the Thahtay Kyun Hotel, and some assets were confiscated, sources said.

It has been reported in Thai media that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) under the Ministry of Justice of Thailand has been investigating illegal activities based in Ranong town since February 1.

Among the 18 people who have been issued arrest warrants for illegal online gambling, fuel export, tax fraud and possession of black money based in Ranong town, U Kyaw Lwin, the owner of the Thahtay Kyun Hotel in Kawthoung town.

"On February 1, they also came to U Kyaw Lwin's close relatives in Ranong town to check whether the relative's property was involved," said a resident of Ranong town.

Thai authorities raided and searched 27 target locations all over Thailand at the same time. They conducted raids on U Kyaw Lwin's (owner of the Thahtay Kyun Hotel) home in Ranong and confiscated 6 fireproof safes, including baht money, and some property were taken from that house. At the time of the incident, U Kyaw Lwin was not at home and he was abroad. His Thai name is Mr Phu. Close relatives were also examined based on their family name, according to a relative.

The 18 entrepreneurs have committed fraud amounting to tens of billions of Thai baht. The Deputy Director of the Department of Special Investigation, Police Major Yutthana Praedam, has been handling the case from February 2, according to media reports.