A House committee has invited Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow to clarify his alleged links to foreign businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, who has been implicated in one of the region’s largest online scam operations.
People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome, chairman of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and National Reform, said several other high-profile figures had also been summoned to testify on Thursday.
In addition to Thamanat, they include Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, former deputy finance minister Vorapak Tanyawong, and Varah Sucharitakul, vice-chairman of the board of Finansia X Plc.
Mr Vorapak resigned from the cabinet earlier this month after the investigative news site Whale Hunting documented cryptocurrency payments made to his wife in connection with an attempt to take over the SET-listed brokerage Finansia.
Mr Rangsiman said the committee is seeking clarification on their alleged connections with Mr Mauerberger, a South African fixer with close ties to senior Cambodian business and political figures linked to the scam industry.
‘No one else can speak on their behalf. Only those directly involved can clarify the nature of these relationships,’ Mr Rangsiman said.
‘They may think they’re beyond Thai law, but they cannot escape global justice.
He criticised state agencies for inaction on the threat posed by scam gangs, asking why they have not taken any action despite having copious infortmation on political figures allegedly linked to criminal networks.
‘Why must the opposition bear the burden of proof when the authorities already have the evidence?’ he asked.
Mr Rangsiman said he is willing to cooperate with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul if asked to provide information, while urging the government to work with his committee the same way.
He said he had also invited Mr Anutin to speak before the committee.