Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, has claimed that no previous government has dared to take the bold steps his administration has taken to crack down on scammers, resulting in the seizure of assets worth tens of billions of baht. He announced the expansion of investigations to determine if Thais are involved in these scams, which follow China's alleged pineapple theft that led to a significant state loss of 2 billion baht. Anutin criticized the Pheu Thai Party for inefficiency, questioning their decision to transfer officials to the Ministry of Public Health.
According to Thai News Agency, Anutin addressed the pressing issues during a recent interview, highlighting the unprecedented seizure of US$386 million in assets, including high-value properties and luxury items. He pointed out that previous administrations had been silent on such issues, and his government is the first to make such significant announcements and actions. Anutin emphasized that legal procedures must follow the asset seizures to ensure proper prosecution.
In a related development, authorities confiscated a Bitcoin mining machine valued at 3-4 billion baht. Anutin noted that these criminal activities not only cause domestic damage but also involve electricity theft, resulting in approximately 2 billion baht in losses. He has instructed the Provincial Electricity Authority to take decisive action and investigate further to uncover any additional high-profile individuals involved in these crimes.
Anutin expressed his commitment to proactive measures against scammers, citing a recent case where a scammer was arrested after attempting to enter Thailand illegally. He addressed political criticism, stating that those who accused him of inefficiency had not considered public opinion polls, where he ranked favorably compared to others.
In response to inquiries about his performance, Anutin humorously refrained from self-assessment to avoid accusations of boasting. He dismissed claims regarding his transfer from the Ministry of Interior as politically motivated, emphasizing that his track record speaks for itself. He urged critics to rely on informed sources rather than spreading misinformation.
The Prime Minister concluded by addressing speculation about Ms. Paethongtarn's Instagram post and the reasons behind his ministerial transfer, asserting that the decision was based on his proven capabilities and not on alleged inefficiency. Anutin called for patience and reliance on credible information in political discourse.