The Prime Minister emphasized that coordinating with Interpol to arrest Ben Smith is the responsibility of the police following his lawyer's announcement that he will not return to Thailand. The Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office said this will not affect asset seizures in civil court and revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Anutin has seen the results and offers encouragement.
4 March 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, gave an interview at the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) regarding whether the Secretary-General of AMLO had reported plans to increase scrutiny of politicians’ transactions following the police issuing an arrest warrant. Mr. Ben Smith to which Mr. Anutin stated, that all actions are being conducted in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, regarding lawyer Mr. Witun Keng-ngan’s press conference stating that Ben Smith will not return to Thailand and questioning whether coordination with Interpol is necessary to bring him to justice, the Prime Minister said this is a matter for the police to handle.
On this matter, Mr. Thepsu Bawornchotikadara, Secretary-General of AMLO, commented on whether Ben Smith’s refusal to return to Thailand would affect asset seizure. Mr. Thepsu said it would not affect the process, as operations follow established standards. The legal proceedings are in civil court through AMLO via the public prosecutor’s office, and it is Ben Smith's right to contest the case.
Mr. Thepsu declined to answer questions about whether there would be asset seizures against Ben Smith or other unreported individuals. Regarding how the Prime Minister has instructed the handling of cases against scammers and illicit funds, Mr. Thepsu said the Prime Minister encourages the work, sees tangible results in combating scammers, drugs, and fundamental cases, and acknowledges the achievements.