Bangkok: The House Committee on State Security commenced discussions on the “Ben Smith” and call center bribery scandal, focusing on the absence of three key ministers: Thammanat, Narumon, and Chaichanok. Rome emphasized the necessity of their personal attendance, arguing that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture would be unable to adequately address the questions. Meanwhile, several agencies, including the Royal Thai Navy, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Cyber Police, and the Central Investigation Bureau, were present to provide clarifications.
According to Thai News Agency, the House of Representatives Committee on State Security, Thai Border Affairs, National Strategy and Reform, chaired by Mr. Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the People’s Party, is tasked with following up on money laundering activities involving Cambodian capital groups linked to call center gangs in Thailand. This includes examining the case of Mr. Benjamin Mauerberger, or Mr. Ben Smith, which poses significant concerns to national security, alongside issues of scammers constructing buildings encroaching on the Thai border in Trat Province.
The committee extended invitations to representatives from multiple agencies for clarification, including the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Personal Data Protection Committee, the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), and the Central Investigation Bureau. Participants included Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, Mr. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, and Ms. Srinee Achavanantakul.
Crucially, the committee summoned Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao and Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat to explain their connections to Mr. Ben Smith. Mr. Rangsiman disclosed that he received a letter from Ms. Narumon, stating her unavailability due to school inspections, while Lt. Col. Thammanat dispatched a representative instead of attending personally.
The invitation to Lt. Col. Thammanat explicitly requested his personal appearance, and Mr. Rangsiman asserted that if a representative were sent, meeting approval would be necessary. He further mentioned that sending an official from the Ministry of Agriculture would not suffice in addressing the matter.
The subsequent agenda item focuses on policy studies and confidence-building to combat call center gangs, scammers, and illegal websites in Thailand, aimed at enhancing national security. This follows Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, discussing leniency for scammers and call center gangs in exchange for benefits. Despite being summoned, Mr. Chaichanok cited other commitments and stated he had already provided a statement to the police, with Mr. Rangsiman urging him to address concerns directly.