Profile of Woraphak Thanyawong, Former Deputy Finance Minister under Anutin, Linked Again to Scammer Case

A profile of Woraphak Thanyawong, former Deputy Minister of Finance during Prime Minister Anutin's first term, whose alleged connections to scammers continue to trouble him. Recently, he was named for sanctions by the U.S. House of Representatives for links to transnational crime networks.

On 17 September 2026, Woraphak Thanyawong, former Deputy Minister of Finance, was again in the news when Brian Mast, Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, and John Moolenaar, Chair of the Special China Committee, jointly signed a letter urging the U.S. government to use the Magnitsky Act—a law punishing foreign individuals guilty of serious crimes—to prosecute and sanction all involved in an international scammer network. Woraphak, a former minister in Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's administration, was among those named.

Recently, Woraphak clarified that he has never participated in, supported, or been aware of the operations of scam centers, money laundering, human trafficking, cybercrime, or any transnational crime as alleged. He has formally contacted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury to request a channel to submit factual evidence and documents for U.S. authorities' consideration.

Profile of Woraphak Thanyawong

Woraphak Thanyawong is married to Kanokporn Thanyawong and has four children. He holds a bachelor's degree in Management Science & Computer Systems from Oklahoma State University, USA; an MBA in Finance from the University of Missouri; and an honorary doctorate in Human Resource Development.

Work Experience

• Former CEO of Krung Thai Bank (KTB): He served as the bank's top executive from 2012 to 2016, playing a key role in restructuring the organization, implementing technological advancements in banking systems, and enhancing the competitiveness of this state-owned bank.
  
  

Executive Positions in Global Financial Institutions

• Former CEO of Retail Banking Group at Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
• Former CEO of Finansia Securities Company.
• He has held senior management roles at leading global financial institutions such as Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, and Credit Suisse.
• Advisor and Board Member: He has served as director and advisor for several leading domestic and international companies including Finansia Syrus Securities, as well as an advisor to the Ministry of Commerce.

Woraphak is known for a fast-paced, result-oriented management style. He played a significant role in transitioning organizations to the digital era and modernizing Krung Thai Bank's IT infrastructure during his tenure.

Later, during the formation of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's first cabinet, he was invited to serve as Deputy Minister of Finance but held the position for only about one month (September–October 2025) before resigning amid rumors linking him to scammer networks and transnational crime in Cambodia. Woraphak acknowledged knowing "Benjamin Smith" and having advised high-level Cambodian executives (Yim Liak), but insisted these were normal business and personal relationships due to their children attending the same school, denying any involvement in illegal or scam-related activities.

Recently, he was named for sanctions by the U.S. House of Representatives after its committees sent letters to the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury proposing sanctions against individuals and entities involved in scammer networks in ASEAN, with Woraphak's name included.