Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow on Tuesday denied the People’s Party (PP) allegations that he was linked to scam gangs and call-centre operations.
Capt Thamanat said that the sources of his assets were questioned by some media outlets, but stressed that he had been involved in a wide range of businesses before entering politics.
He said that he had declared his wealth to the anti-corruption agency upon assuming office.
“I’ve never been involved in any grey business, and I’ve defended myself against those allegations in the justice system. I won’t use lawsuits to silence critics, but if the allegations are false, I’ll bring them to court to prove they aren’t true,” Capt Thamanat said.
He also urged the public not to jump to a conclusion about foreign businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, who is allegedly linked to scam operations.
The minister shrugged off PP MP Rangsiman Rome’s call for his ouster, saying only the prime minister can remove him.
He insisted that any dispute about his suitability to hold the cabinet post, if any, would be settled in court.
Earlier, Thanadon Suwannarit, a lawyer representing Mr Mauerberger, filed a 100-million-baht defamation lawsuit against Mr Rangsiman, who alleged he was linked to scam gangs and call-centre operations during a Sept 30 speech in parliament.
Mr Thanadon also said Capt Thammanat and Mr Mauerberger knew each other via former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and that Mr Mauerberger had investments in Dubai.
According to the lawyer, Mr Mauerberger’s role as an adviser to Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen was purely consultative, with no salary or official position attached.
Meanwhile, social media influencer Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet, also known as Gun Chompalang, denied that he secured public relations projects from the Ministry of Agriculture due to his connections with Capt Thamanat.
He said that he had a large following, and he also secured public relations projects from other state agencies, including the Justice Ministry, not only from the Ministry of Agriculture.
He was responding to PP MP Rukchanok Srinok’s questions about his s ties with Capt Thamanat.