Korn says scammer network involves dozens of political and financial figures
RegulationGeopolitics
Korn Chatikavanij, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, disclosed that the money-laundering network of transnational scam groups in Thailand is not linked only to Vorapak Tanyawong, a former deputy finance minister, but involves at least 10 other people in political and financial circles. Of these, 4 to 5 are clearly ringleaders, and their names are familiar to many. A key committee of the United States House of Representatives sent a letter dated September 15, 2026, signed by Brian Mast, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and John Moolenaar, chairman of the Select Committee on China, to the U.S. secretaries of state and the treasury, asking them to determine within 180 days whether the named individuals and entities, including Vorapak, meet the criteria for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act. If listed, their assets in the United States would be frozen, they would be barred from transactions with American individuals and companies, and they would be cut off from the dollar-based financial system. Korn said that being named in the letter is not yet a ruling or a sanction, but Thailand cannot pretend not to see it. He called on Thai agencies to urgently investigate the business and financial trails themselves rather than waiting for foreign countries to act first, since much of the information on business structures, financial routes, shareholders and beneficiaries is already in the hands of Thai agencies. He also disclosed that he and the House committee on monetary affairs, fiscal affairs, financial institutions and financial markets sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, asking it to expedite its investigation and submit complete documentary evidence, but as of today the public has yet to see any clear explanation or progress.
