Anutin Boasts of Cracking Down on Scammers, Seizing Assets Worth Tens of Billions, Rebukes Pheu Thais Baseless Claims

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul boasted that no government has dared to crack down on scammers or seize and freeze assets worth tens of billions of baht. He expressed anger at foreign groups, including the so-called "Chinese Tao" and "Sabparangke," who illegally use electricity, causing the government to lose about 2 billion baht. He countered Pheu Thai, saying that if his work was really poor, why was he moved from the Ministry of Interior to oversee the Ministry of Public Health to care for the people?

5 Dec 2025 GMT+7 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, gave an interview at Sanam Luang regarding his feelings about the various situations recently, including the crackdown on scammers. He asked in return what pressures they are currently facing. He was then asked about the crackdown on scammers, whether anyone had ever seized assets and money amounting to tens of billions of baht at once or publicly named individuals who have been in Thailand a long time and have networks. He noted that previously everyone remained silent and asked which government had ever done this. He said he announced the names of scammers and their financial routes, seizing and freezing assets including houses, land, yachts, stocks, and cars worth 386 million U.S. dollars. When asked why prosecutions were not proceeding, he explained that those asking did not understand the process; after seizure and freezing, legal proceedings must follow.

At the same time, authorities have seized Bitcoin mining machines valued at 3-4 billion baht. These criminals not only commit wrongdoing and cause damage and crime in the country but also steal electricity, resulting in approximately 2 billion baht in losses. No government has ever addressed this issue before. Just yesterday (4 Dec 2025), he invited the Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority to discuss and take action. They will investigate whether there are major figures involved in electricity theft.

“Even these so-called ‘Chinese Tao’ and ‘Chinese Sabparangke,’ who are foreigners, still secretly use Thai electricity. Whether there are major players in Thailand who do the same remains to be seen. This will lead to many further results. This is the work done over two months by everyone,” he said.

Regarding proactive measures to continue cracking down on scammers, the Prime Minister said the efforts will persist. He gave an example of a scammer crossing into Thailand after being tortured and stepping on a landmine, who was then captured. On political matters, he said there is nothing significant. When accused of being removed from the Ministry of Interior for slow and inefficient work, he said critics must have forgotten to read the polls. During the government of Mr. Srettha Thavisin and former Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, he ranked second after those two, while Pheu Thai did not even reach second place. He left third place far behind.

Therefore, people just speak aimlessly without understanding, blaming everything when they cannot think clearly. But his record is clear. If the work were really poor, why would he be asked to return to the Ministry of Interior and then be transferred to the Ministry of Public Health to care for the people? If truly ineffective, assigning someone incompetent from security to public health would make things worse. Thus, he insisted he is not incompetent, as others say he works well and receives praise. When asked to rate himself out of 10, the Prime Minister laughed and said, “Otherwise, they will say I’m bragging.”

A reporter then asked about Ms. Paethongtarn sharing an Instagram story post with the caption “Eh” after news broke about him having to leave the Ministry of Interior because he did not grant citizenship. Mr. Ben Smith said that the Prime Minister is well aware of the situation. Every time they talk, Prime Minister Ink is present, as well as Dr. Prommin Lertsuriya, then Secretary-General to the Prime Minister. He reminded that the Prime Minister was not dismissed, and that the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the coalition government. He said claims that the Prime Minister works slowly are easily disproved because his poll rating is second, which is good. Fortunately, it is not first. If his work were poor, he would not have been transferred to the Ministry of Public Health, which cares for the lives of citizens. Assigning an ineffective person to care for the public is as bad as the person who appointed them. He suggested that those making such statements should wait for insiders who were part of the talks to provide accurate information. People who do not know the facts should not be listened to, as they never reached that level. ."