Bangkok: Responding to the "shadow cabinet" issue of gray Chinese nationals and nominees, the government emphasized that it cracked down before the opposition made its statement. The deputy government spokesperson refuted claims by the "shadow cabinet" regarding the China Tao-nominee issue, emphasizing that the government was genuinely cracking down on organized crime even before the opposition's statements, and stressed that crime information should not be used as a political tool.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, addressed the criticism of the government by Nattapong Ruangpanyawut and Piyarat Jongthep, representing the People's Party's "Shadow Cabinet," on issues of transnational crime, the Chinese Tao group, and nominee networks. She stated that the government seriously listens to all suggestions regarding security, but many points may not reflect the facts and proactive measures the government had already taken prior to the opposition's statement.
The deputy government spokesperson confirmed that the government under the leadership of Anutin Charnvirakul has never neglected the problem of transnational crime, but rather has intensified its crackdown on it seriously and continuously, including Chinese organized crime networks, nominee networks, identity theft, and foreign influential groups in several key areas of the country.
"This government has never swept problems under the rug. On the contrary, many cases that the public is aware of today are the result of the government intensifying its investigations and expanding its reach, leaving illegal networks with no place to operate," the deputy government spokesperson said.
Regarding the case of Mr. Sun Mingchen in Chonburi province, the deputy government spokesperson clarified that although it initially stemmed from a car accident, the government did not stop at a traffic case. The Prime Minister ordered the Royal Thai Police to immediately conduct a thorough investigation, leading to the arrest of 11 additional individuals, including civilians and former naval officers. The investigation also included traces of illegal weapons trafficking, the possession of pink identification cards (a e-commerce platform), and nominee networks nationwide.
Meanwhile, regarding the case of police officers kidnapping and demanding ransom from a Chinese national in Sa Kaeo province, the deputy government spokesperson stated that the government has taken decisive action. All four police officers involved have been immediately dismissed from service and will face full criminal charges. There will be no protection or favoritism within the organization.
"A rotten finger must be cut off. The government has no policy of protecting wrongdoers. The straightforward handling of this case reflects that the internal auditing system is still functioning, and the government is ready to take decisive action against corrupt government officials," the deputy government spokesperson said.
Regarding allegations of using foundations, schools, or nominee shareholdings to purchase luxury real estate, the deputy government spokesperson clarified that the government had already taken proactive measures, including revoking the 60-day visa-free entry for 93 countries, establishing a committee to review the entire visa system, and ordering the Land Department to investigate the shareholder structure and financial transactions of suspicious legal entities nationwide.
Furthermore, the Department of Land has coordinated with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Department of Business Development to systematically expand the investigation into nominee networks. Land offices nationwide are also required to report the results of their investigations into suspicious legal entities every three months.
The deputy government spokesperson added that if the opposition truly has information about nominee companies or criminal networks, the government requests that they hand over such information directly to the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), or the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) for swift and efficient legal proceedings, rather than releasing it through the media beforehand, which risks destroying evidence or allowing perpetrators to escape.
"Criminal information should not be used as a political tool. If there is genuine evidence, the government is ready to take decisive action immediately," the deputy government spokesperson said.
The deputy government spokesperson stated that the issue of foreign nominees holding real estate and fraudulent claims is a structural problem that has accumulated over decades. However, this government is the first to seriously upgrade the investigation to include shareholder structures and financial transactions nationwide, not just routine document checks.
"Scrutinizing the government is the duty of the opposition, and the government is ready to listen to all suggestions. However, public communication should be based on complete facts to avoid misunderstandings about the overall picture of the country and the work of officials who are performing their duties to the best of their ability," the deputy government spokesperson said.
'Thailand has long faced the problem of transnational crime, but this government has chosen to confront and crack down on it decisively, rather than ignore it or allow the problem to fester. The government affirms that it will continue to enforce the law fairly and will not allow Thailand to become a safe haven for transnational criminal groups,' said the deputy government spokesperson.