Korn emphasizes that the government supports oil refineries while abandoning the public. He does not believe Anutin is genuinely cracking down on grey capital and scammers, citing many close associates involved. He questions the Finance Minister's decision to appoint Wisit as chairman of the SEC, asking if it is appropriate.
On 10 April 2026, Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, a party-list MP of the Democrat Party, spoke at a parliamentary session reviewing the government's policy statement on economic livelihood and the crackdown on scammers and grey capital. He said the government lacks a strategy to handle the energy crisis, instead buying time by waiting for global oil prices to drop. Although the Oil Fund compensates, pump prices only fell by about 2 baht per liter instead of the expected 12 baht, while refining costs are as high as 17 baht per liter. Every government decision has made people suspect it is more concerned about protecting business interests than alleviating public hardship. On 9 April, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Akniti Nitithanprapas said the Oil Fund should bear the oil price burden, effectively making the public responsible as Oil Fund debtors, while excise taxes remain unchanged. He justified this by saying there might be no funds for healthcare, even though oil revenue goes into the central budget, not directly to healthcare. Mr. Korn insists that reducing excise taxes along with cutting other unnecessary government expenses could better ease public burdens. He urges the government to promptly establish a fair oil price calculation formula.
Doubts Anutin's crackdown on grey capital.
Mr. Korn continued on the scammer crackdown policy, noting that yesterday, Anutin Charnvirakul, prime minister and interior minister, attended a press conference with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announcing further asset seizures from scammer groups. He said Thai agencies work slowly compared to foreign counterparts, allowing assets to be moved and making full seizure impossible. The prime minister declared that investigations would proceed regardless of the names involved. Mr. Korn expressed doubt this would be effective because previously, a former deputy finance minister in Anutin’s first government served as an advisor to a Cambodian bank linked to grey capital and scammers, involved in buying shares in funds owned by these groups, which were recently seized. He urged the prime minister to investigate close associates who are linked to grey capital and scammers, noting that shares of BCPG, a subsidiary of Bangchak oil refinery held by the CAI fund and Pivkin company, were involved. He pointed out that BCPG shares were sold specifically—board resolutions authorized sales of shares worth 4.5 billion baht to two funds.
He thus asks the prime minister whether, after seizing BCPG shares from CAI, there was an investigation into the reasons behind the targeted share sales. The board members at that time included a former finance minister, raising questions about their knowledge of grey capital and scammer groups. This issue extends beyond a few foreign individuals, involving former parliamentarians and government officials.
Questions the appropriateness of appointing Wisit as SEC chairman.
"Regarding the government’s efforts to tackle scammers, as undertaken by Minister of Digital Economy Chaiyachon Chidchob, these originated from a disgraceful MOU signed with scammer groups. There has been a complaint filed against former Minister of Digital Economy Prasert Chanruangthong under Section 157 to the NACC. It was also found that the disgraceful MOU was signed by Mr. Wisit Wisitsora-at, Permanent Secretary of the Digital Economy Ministry, who is now chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a key figure overseeing market transparency and fairness. I therefore ask the Finance Minister whether it is appropriate to appoint someone accused of involvement in signing an MOU that facilitated global digital money laundering—though the MOU was later revoked—as SEC chairman. Furthermore, regarding Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who has clear evidence of financial transactions with Ben Smith involving the purchase and installment payments for a private jet via Cambodia's BIC bank, was his financial background checked before his ministerial appointment? I request public clarification. If not done, I question the sincerity and seriousness of the crackdown on grey capital and scammers, despite the prime minister's claim to be ready to prosecute all involved, many of whom are close associates and within his government," Mr. Korn said.