BANGKOK: In a startling turn of events, Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister, Vorapak Tanyawong, resigned on 22 October 2024 amid serious allegations connecting him to a Cambodia-based cyber scam. Having held the position for just a month, his departure has raised eyebrows in the political realm.
Details of the Allegations
The former minister was ordered by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to explain his involvement in purported scams surfacing from Cambodia. Reports from the Whale Hunting newsletter alleged that Vorapak’s wife received US$3 million in cryptocurrency from suspected Chinese-Cambodian criminal networks tied to fraud operations he was originally meant to investigate.
Vorapak’s Response
In his resignation statement, Vorapak firmly denied any wrongdoing, emphasising his need to devote time to building a legal defence. “To fight this legal battle, I need time and I am afraid it will interfere with my main role at the Ministry of Finance,” he said during a press conference.
A Career of Controversy
Vorapak, who previously served as an adviser to the then-Finance Minister, spent most of his career in the private financial sector, holding senior roles at international banks such as Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase. While corruption within Thai political circles isn’t uncommon, accusations linking officials to the burgeoning multibillion-dollar scam industry are rare.
Context of the Scam Crisis
Scams have proliferated throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and neighbouring regions, where ties between business and politics often facilitate such operations. As the public and authorities become increasingly aware, the pressure on officials to uphold integrity is mounting.