Prasert, former Minister of Digital Economy, confirmed he reviewed the MOU between DE and the Singaporean company, finding no openings for favoritism. He stressed he does not personally know Ben Smith and explained that the photo together was taken because he was invited as a witness.
On 12 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Prasert Chantraruangthong, Secretary-General of the Pheu Thai Party, addressed the issue of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) canceling the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Prime Opportunity Fund VCC from Singapore, signed on 27 Mar 2024 GMT+7, amid various suspicions. He explained that criticism arose partly because he appeared in a photo with Special Professor Wisit Wisitsorasat, Permanent Secretary of DE, and Mr. Ben Smith at the MOU signing ceremony. He clarified that as Minister of DE at the time, he was invited to attend as a witness as usual and did not personally know Ben Smith. Similarly, he said ministers are routinely invited as witnesses at such events. He also noted he was not involved in coordinating other witnesses’ attendance and did not know who did.
Regarding this MOU, he said he conducted a detailed review to clarify facts after media reports surfaced and found that the agreement was submitted through proper channels for consideration by relevant agencies before signing. These included the Office of the Permanent Secretary of DE, DE’s Foreign Affairs Division, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Council of State, and the Office of the Attorney General. The Office of the Permanent Secretary of DE received comments from all these bodies to aid in their review of the MOU.
He emphasized that this MOU contains no provisions granting special privileges or facilitation to any private party under any conditions. It clearly states that everything must comply fully with the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand. Any matters involving other agencies require proper permission from those agencies, and actions unsupported by law are prohibited.
Mr. Prasert affirmed that DE’s actions did not provide any benefits to private companies or individuals. Everything followed proper procedures and aimed to benefit the country and its people, focusing on developing a business hub, promoting innovation, and enhancing personnel capabilities in Thailand. This aligns with national policies and plans for digital economic and social development and the Thailand 2030 vision “IGNITE THAILAND,” which seeks to elevate Thailand as a global industrial city center.
“Throughout my tenure as Minister of Digital Economy and Society, it has been clear that under the leadership of the Pheu Thai government, we were the first government to seriously combat online and transnational crimes. I was tasked with fighting cybercrime with dedication and achieved visible results in enforcement, legal reforms, and pursuing innovations to benefit the country and its people throughout this period,” he said.