Opposition Leader Condemns Government’s Response to Scam Crisis
The leader of the opposition, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, has strongly criticized Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for his lack of national leadership and slow response to the growing scam crisis in Thailand. The People’s Party (PP) leader accused Mr. Anutin of delivering empty rhetoric without clear strategies to combat the rising number of scam networks and illegal call centers.
During a speech at “Thailand’s Next Frontier: A National Economic Vision” event, the prime minister claimed that scams thrive in countries with weak legal systems. However, he insisted that Thailand has strong enforcement agencies such as the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), the Royal Thai Police, and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). He pledged to intensify crackdowns on scams, narcotics, and human trafficking within the first four months of his administration.
Mr. Anutin also addressed rumors surrounding former deputy finance minister Vorapak Tanyawong, stating that the minister had only faced allegations, not formal charges, and had resigned voluntarily after following the premier’s advice. He emphasized that the government had provided a “blank cheque” of support to agencies involved in tackling these crimes, highlighting daily progress meetings that were producing tangible results.
He cited several achievements, including large drug seizures, the confiscation of scam-linked assets, and the revocation of a major ringleader’s citizenship. Despite these claims, Mr. Natthaphong dismissed them as superficial, arguing that the prime minister’s approach lacked accountability and coherent policy direction.
“This approach merely shifts the burden to bureaucrats without true leadership or political will,” he said. He warned that scams and grey businesses have already become deeply embedded in Thailand’s economy, causing damage worth hundreds of billions of baht.
Yet, the prime minister has taken no decisive steps over the past month, instead forming subcommittees while two cabinet ministers remain under suspicion of links to scam networks. The opposition leader further alleged that key ministers, including Capt Thamanat Prompow and Mr. Vorapak, had avoided scrutiny by a House committee, while agencies such as Amlo, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and CCIB showed little cooperation.
“The prime minister has shifted into neutral, leaving officials paralysed,” he said. “Is this delay intentional, to shield influential figures and stall investigations?”
Mr. Natthaphong urged the government to create a unified task force, cooperate with foreign embassies—including the US, UK, Singapore, and South Korea—and suspend any ministers under suspicion. He warned that if Mr. Anutin’s administration continues to show no real results, the opposition will use every parliamentary mechanism to expose and dismantle these networks before Thailand becomes known as a global hub for money laundering and cybercrime.
Evidence Submitted to House Committee
Meanwhile, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, chairman of the Help Crime Victims Club, submitted evidence to the House Committee on National Security implicating Chonnapat Naksua, a Klatham Party MP, and associates in gambling, drug-money laundering, and police bribery worth 2.5 billion baht.