Thai deputy finance minister quits over scam centre allegations

[BANGKOK] One of Thailand’s most high-profile politicians allegedly linked to transnational scam operations has said he will step down. 

In a briefing on Wednesday (Oct 22) in Bangkok, Vorapak Tanyawong, the country’s deputy finance minister, denied allegations that he and his wife are linked to South-east Asian scam networks. He said he plans to file a defamation complaint against people making those accusations. 

Vorapak’s resignation came a day after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul asked him for a written response to allegations that he’s linked to scam networks around the region. Vorapak was earlier named by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to lead a task force to follow the money trail left by such centres. 

In a Facebook post just hours before Wednesday’s briefing, Vorapak called the allegations “false and politically motivated” and “part of an organised smear campaign.” The former Krung Thai Bank executive said that his focus on policy work has been disrupted by the need to respond to these allegations. 

“It’s unfortunate that some of those involved are people I once respected,” he said in the post. “But political bias seems to have clouded their judgment. I’ve tried to respond with compassion, but perhaps I’ll need to recite the Buddha’s verse for overcoming evil.” 

Vorapak said he floated the idea of him resigning with Anutin before the briefing and that he wasn’t pressured into quitting. BLOOMBERG