Bangkok: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced his commitment to tackling scammers, following Thailand's return to the international spotlight at the 47th ASEAN Summit. Anutin emphasized Thailand's readiness to host a meeting focused on combating scams and will engage with the South Korean Ambassador to Thailand post-APEC to further this agenda.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted that the ASEAN Summit renewed international attention on Thailand, showcasing discussions that honored the country in several aspects. The summit included both bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at fostering cooperation and addressing concerns from various nations. Anutin assured that Thailand is ready to promptly tackle any issues discussed during these meetings.
During a morning meeting with South Korea, the focus was on cracking down on scams, with a call for cooperation. While details were not fully disclosed, Anutin met with the South Korean president to address scam-related issues prevalent in neighboring regions. An agreement with Cambodia on combating scammers was noted as a commitment Thailand must uphold. South Korea has extended an invitation for collaboration on intensifying actions against tech crime gangs. Anutin mentioned that the South Korean Ambassador to Thailand is set to discuss this further upon returning from APEC.
Thailand's proposal to host the ASEAN Plus Three meeting to fight scammers was also highlighted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs incorporated this proposal into Thailand's statement at the summit, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the suppression of scams due to their detrimental impact on citizens' lives and property. As a nation affected by such crimes, Thailand is keen to lead efforts in seeking international cooperation to address this issue. Hosting the event will underscore Thailand's commitment to swiftly countering technological crimes.
The Prime Minister also reported ongoing efforts by the National Police Chief, with technology crime-related seizures and arrests amounting to over 10 billion baht. Numerous cases have been prosecuted, suspects apprehended, and financial trails investigated to unearth key financiers. Recently, citizenship was revoked for Mr. Lee Yong Phat, identified by security forces, police, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) as being involved in scam-related activities and money laundering operations using Thailand as a base.