Rom highlights suspicious details regarding the former minister's 30 million baht private jet purchase, fearing that the claim of buying from Ben Smith is merely a cover, and the actual owner may be Jim Liak.
On 7 February 2026, Mr. Rangsit Rom, Deputy Leader of the People's Party, commented on the ownership of the Gulfstream G550 private jet linked to Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, a former minister. The party is urgently investigating the financial transactions and the true owner because of several suspicious points. The jet may not belong to Benjamin Mauerberger (Ben Smith) as claimed, but might be owned by businessman Jim Liak, who is currently wanted and has assets frozen. They need to verify whether the funds transferred to BIC Bank were truly intended to pay for the jet and who actually made this payment.
Regarding the explanation that the minister holds only a 30 million baht share of the jet while the remaining over 800 million baht belongs to relatives, Mr. Rangsit finds this odd. Based on information from Mr. Tom Wright, who said Ben Smith had previously given a jet to Thaksin Shinawatra, it raises suspicion that similar arrangements might be made with “Big S.” as a form of reciprocal benefit.
Mr. Rangsit also said that investigating this case would not be difficult if the government is sincere. He called on the Anti-Money Laundering Office to thoroughly examine the financial transfers into the bank. If it is found that this asset was obtained through illegal means or as a bribe causing harm to the country, strict legal action must be taken.