Rome: Rangsiman Rome ignores Ben Smith’s defamation lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions in damages, stating that he may even defend himself. He called it strange that they weren’t personally close, but used Thammanat’s team to make the move. He urged people not to use the lawsuit to cover up a major issue.

According to Thai News Agency, Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the Prachachon Party and chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on State Security, Thai Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform, addressed the defamation lawsuit filed by Benjamin Mauerberger, seeking 100 million baht in civil damages. He stated that this matter was not a personal matter. He stated that he believed the country needed to protect its interests, namely, how to protect Thailand from the clutches of call center gangs. He expected the government to take this matter seriously. He explained how call center gangs gained access to state power and how they were connected to important individuals. “Benjamin” was just one example; there were many more. If we don’t use our power now to protect the people from call center gangs, he worries they will take over our country.

When asked about Mr. Benjamin’s decision to sue, Mr. Rangsiman stated that he wasn’t particularly concerned and wasn’t worried. He said he would let the court proceed as it should. He might request more witness documents to bring in more witnesses. He might even plead his own case. He insisted that he wasn’t worried, but was surprised at the use of Mr. Thanadol Suwannarit’s team, which is part of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao’s team. He stated that he didn’t know them personally, which was unusual, but he didn’t want to worry about it. Today, the call center issue should be the main focus. He didn’t want the lawsuit to overshadow a larger issue of public interest.