Korn raises concerns over cabinet ties to alleged scam network

The Democrat Party’s party-list MP Korn Chatikavanij questioned Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s sincerity in tackling corruption, grey businesses and scam operations today, citing the appointments of Prasert Jantararuangtong and Suriya Juangroongruangkit to the Cabinet.

Prasert, a former minister of digital economy and society, has been appointed education minister, while Suriya, a former transport minister, has been appointed agriculture minister.

Speaking in parliament during the debate on the government’s policy statement, Korn said the prime minister gave the impression that he was serious about cracking down on scam operations.

He cited the premier’s press conference yesterday, at which he reported the seizure of assets worth over 8 billion baht linked to alleged Cambodian scam boss Yim Leak and businessman Benjamin Mauerberger (Ben Smith), as well as his policy statement to parliament highlighting the government’s success in tackling transnational scams.

Korn said he doubts the prime minister’s claim of success, noting that the crackdown is far from over, with only a few foreigners alleged to be key players in underground cybercrime operations.

He said investigations should be expanded to include figures from the previous Cabinet, warning that, if the issue is not resolved, the government will be unable to instil confidence among foreign investors.

The former finance minister cited a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on March 27, 2024, between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society — when Prasert was minister — and Singapore-based Prime Opportunity Fund VCC, for the creation of a Digital Economy Regulatory Sandbox (DERS) for the Thailand International Digital Business and Finance Centre.

Present at the signing ceremony were Prasert, Kla Tham Party chief adviser Thammanat Prompao, former Thai trade representative Narumon Pinyosinwat, and Ben Smith, who is allegedly linked to scam operations associated with Yim Leak.

Korn also referred to a remark made by Digital Economy Minister Chaichanok Chidchob during the first Anutin administration, claiming that “someone” had offered him 40 million baht per month to overlook scam and money-laundering activities in Thailand.

He asked whether it was possible that the same “someone” might have made a similar corrupt offer to the previous digital economy minister.

The MoU is now under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, with two individuals being probed for alleged malfeasance in office: Prasert, then digital economy minister, and Visit Visitsora-ath, then permanent secretary of the ministry and now chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, who signed the MoU.

Korn also questioned the appointment of Suriya as agriculture minister, pointing out that Suriya and his family had purchased a private jet worth about 800 million baht for Mauerberger.

He said it would be difficult for the public to trust that the prime minister is genuinely serious about tackling corruption, scams and grey businesses, as some of his close associates are allegedly linked to the “shadowy” Mauerberger.