Just how powerful are they?

Can anyone provide some insight on organized crime in Thailand and what influence it currently has in regards to power and control of that area of the world?

Thailand doesn't have large homegrown criminal organizations. At least not compared to something like the Triads in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Yakuza in Japan, Jopok/Kkangpae in South Korea or the so-called "Black Societies" in Vietnam.

There are however lots of transnational criminal organizations from all over the world - mostly from East Asia, Europe and Oceania - operating in Thailand and all of them launder a lot of money in Thailand. In that way Thailand is like the Spain of Asia. And there are of course plenty of crooked businessmen and politicians in Thailand who know about these operations and are able to line their pockets with it.

Money laundering and human traffic are big in Thailand. Not a home grown mafia in that country, but a lot of small gangs that are involved in theft, smuggling, gambling, narcotics, human trafficking, arson and murder. The two big OC in that country are the Triads and Yakuza, both mainly deal in human trafficking, gambling, narcotics, and money laundering. Triads are very big in the sex trade do to Chinese policy of one child and majority always keep male, so there are not as many Chinese women in China, so they take women from Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines.

Underworld of Pattaya: The Thai city that attracts the most notorious gangsters and bikers from the West https://gangstersinc.org/2022/08/07...ious-gangsters-and-bikers-from-the-west/

Various gangsters hanging out in Thailand:

Learning from mistakes, murdering one’s rival and retiring to Thailand – Profile of Yakuza boss Shigeharu Shirai https://gangstersinc.org/2018/01/12...profile-of-yakuza-boss-shigeharu-shirai/

Russian mob boss arrested in Thailand https://gangstersinc.org/2014/06/26/russian-mob-boss-arrested-in-thailand/
Fugitive Russian mobster caught in Pattaya, Thailand https://gangstersinc.org/2016/03/26/fugitive-russian-mobster-caught-in-pattaya-thailand/

Viktor Bout: https://gangstersinc.org/2001/07/27/profile-of-russian-crime-boss-viktor-bout/

Dutch crime boss John Mieremet: https://gangstersinc.org/2007/01/24/profile-of-dutch-crime-boss-john-mieremet/

Thai Army has a huge influence they control Thai boxing/gambling.

Jao por is a term used in Thailand to describe the boss of organized crime groups.

Meaning of the term
Chao pho or jao poh literally means “godfather.” Chao pho, mostly based in the provinces, have business interests in both legitimate and criminal activities. Moreover, they have groups of associates and followers, move closely with powerful bureaucrats, policemen and military figures, sit in positions in local administration, and play a key role in parliamentary elections.[1]

Activities
According to Thai authorities, there are chao pho groups in 39 of Thailand's 77 provinces. From these provinces they work like a local mafia as they are active in both illegal as well as some legitimate businesses. They are involved in a wide range of criminal activities such as prostitution, drug trafficking, illegal gambling and others. They are known for cooperating with the Red Wa (who are associated with the United Wa State Army) for the trafficking and sale of narcotics.[2]

Over here in Europe there are actually tons of 100% Chinese prostitutes. In Brussels there are at least two hoods where you can find Chinese girls soliciting on the streets from time to time. There's a crackdown every year, but they always return sooner or later. Problem is the vast majority aren't good looking though.