The NACC Committee held a joint meeting with AMLO. Asaphon pointed out that the financial trails involving 200 names have already been handed over to the NACC. He encouraged senior officials to take this last chance to expose the real masterminds. Meanwhile, AMLO's Secretary-General admitted that the prosecution process might not satisfy public expectations.
On 4 Aug 2021 GMT+7, at the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), Mr. Asaphon Santraipop, MP for Sisaket from the Bhumjaithai Party and Chairman of the NACC Committee, along with other committee members, visited to study and exchange views with AMLO. Mr. Thepsu Bworachotidara, Secretary-General of AMLO, welcomed them.
The committee inquired about several issues such as foreign nominees, online gambling, and corruption in local government recruitment exams. They also asked about AMLO's operations within its authority and requested AMLO to safeguard information and prevent hacking of confidential case data under their oversight.
Mr. Thepsu Bworachotidara, Secretary-General of AMLO, revealed regarding corruption in local government recruitment exams that the NACC is collaborating fully with related agencies on this matter and progress will soon become evident. However, he candidly stated that the prosecution process differs from social discourse and expectations.
The Secretary-General added that legal reforms are underway to broaden the scope of offenses. Besides meeting anti-money laundering international standards, these changes aim to cut off foreign nominee networks. He urged legislators to support and push these legal amendments to success.
After the meeting, Mr. Asaphon said the committee had prepared 23 questions for AMLO, gaining valuable knowledge to aid their work. They mainly inquired about foreign nominees and local exam corruption. Regarding the 200 names, AMLO confirmed having received the request from the NACC and completed financial route investigations, but could not disclose names due to legal restrictions. However, AMLO noted these names correspond to those detained by the Central Investigation Police. For the 5,925 exam candidates, AMLO said the law requires action within 120 days, but in practice, the Secretary-General confirmed it takes less time.
When asked if public doubts about political involvement in the case might undermine trust in investigations, Mr. Asaphon said the latest information shows those involved are senior officials. He believes it is now up to the NACC and those officials themselves. No one else can help except them. They have the option to become witnesses. If this is their last chance, he hopes senior officials will seize it to expose higher-level masterminds. If the financial trails or transactions implicate top-level persons, AMLO must inform the NACC accordingly.