Bangkok: Authorities are poised to summon Prasert Chantharawongthong for questioning regarding the MOU between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and a Singaporean company. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is preparing to summon Prasert Chantharawongthong for questioning regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and a Singaporean company. This follows the former Permanent Secretary’s testimony that he was acting on political orders, and the presence of a photo showing him with Thammanat, Ben Smith, and Narumon, who were witnesses to the signing ceremony.
According to Thai News Agency, a team of special investigators questioned Mr. Wisit Wisitsora-at, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and a Singaporean company. Mr. Wisit stated that the MOU was initiated under political orders, with the Office of the Minister of Digital Economy and Society informing the civil service to proceed. He added that the process was followed normally, and that he received approval from the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, who was also the Permanent Secretary, before signing the MOU.
Regarding the details of the MOU, Mr. Wisit stated that he was unaware of or did not know the signatories or the companies in the TIDC group personally. This point will allow the Special Investigation Unit to summon the political figures, namely the Minister of Digital Economy and Society at the time and his secretary, to give testimony on various issues.
Reporters say this case arose after Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, the current Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), ordered the cancellation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DE Ministry and a Singaporean company. This was due to several irregularities and problems found in the MOU’s drafting and implementation process, which could lead to potential damages. The MOU was signed by Mr. Wisit, then Permanent Secretary of the DE Ministry, during the tenure of Mr. Prasert Chantharawongthong as Minister of DE. A photograph shows Mr. Prasert present at the signing ceremony, along with Captain Thamanat Promphao, then Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives under former Prime Minister Settha Thavisin, Ms. Narumon Pinyosinvat, then Thai Trade Representative, and Mr. Benjamin Mauerberger, or Ben Smith, as witnesses.