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Ben Smith's links to Thai elite raise doubts on government resolve to tackle scammers

10 Sept 17:39 Key points summarised by AI

Allegations link Cambodia-based Benjamin Mauerberger (Ben Smith) to transnational scams and money laundering, sparking public concern due to his visible connections with powerful Thai figures.
Photos of Mauerberger with high-ranking Thai officials, including the Prime Minister, have fueled skepticism about the government's commitment to effectively combatting organized financial crime.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) froze over 10 billion baht in assets, with a significant portion tied to Mauerberger's network and Cambodian businessman Yim Leak, revealing an intricate web of alleged illicit financial operations.
Described as a 'fixer' with a history of financial irregularities, Mauerberger's alleged role in orchestrating deals and moving money for influential individuals, often through proxies, is a central focus of ongoing scrutiny.

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.