Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome has urged the government to intensify its crackdown on scammers and their political connections in both Thailand and Cambodia, while outlining his party’s plans to track and expose foreign “grey” capital.
Mr Rangsiman, chair of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform, as well as a list MP and deputy leader of the People’s Party (PP), held a press conference yesterday to outline a roadmap for tracing illicit businesses. He said scams are becoming increasingly complex, with systematic money-laundering networks that are almost impossible to dismantle under the current government mechanisms.
Mr Rangsiman said scammers’ revenue is flowing into a neighbouring country and being absorbed by businesses and infrastructure there. “These grey capitals are now taking over Thailand,” he said, adding that in the absence of government progress on tackling the issue, the PP has put forward three proposals.
The first is to investigate companies that use iris scanning as part of their biometric data collection methods. According to Mr Rangsiman, as many as one to two million people have had their irises scanned. Many participants were unaware of the purpose of the scans, he said, receiving around 500 baht each.
The PP will also continue its investigation into foreign businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, and prominent Cambodian businessman Yim Leak, both of whom Mr Rangsiman alleged may be linked to the use of iris scans. He further called on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to comment on the alleged relationship between Mr Mauerberger and Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow.