By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DE FACTO PHEU THAI boss-turned-inmate Thaksin Shinawatra today (Nov.6) categorically denied he had dealt in “business investment” with scammer suspect Benjamin Mauerberger, alias Ben Smith, since the former only knew the latter as an “acquaintance”, according to the inmate’s lawyer Winyat Chatmontree.
The lawyer who today visited Thaksin at Klong Prem prison where he has been serving a curtailed, one-year term told reporters that his client had admitted knowing Ben Smith as an “acquaintance” with whom he had never made any “business investment” and that he had been by no means associated with any suspected scammers or money-launderers.
Winyat stopped short of elaborating on the phrase “business investment” and declined to either confirm or deny allegations that Ben Smith may have previously acted as business adviser to his client.
The lawyer was apparently responding in consequence of allegations that the de facto Pheu Thai boss had purchased a Bombardier Global 7500 private jet worth about 2.7 billion baht with the South African-born wheeler-dealer-turned-scammer suspect purportedly acting as a sales agent who had been introduced to him by de facto Klatham boss Thammanat Prompao.
The trio were allegedly seen together at a restaurant in the premises of a Bangkok shopping mall earlier this year.
But Ben Smith who was among a number of transnational scammer and money-launderer suspects blacklisted by the United States Treasury Department was allegedly practically known as business adviser to certain powerful politicians ranging from senior Cambodian leader Hun Sen to the de facto Klatham boss and de facto Pheu Thai boss.
The lawyer threatened to take legal action against those who may accuse his client online of being one of Ben Smith’s business associates or having been clandestinely connected with any transnational rogue rackets.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who concurrently performs as interior minister has been repeatedly pressed by the opposition at parliament to dismiss Thammanat as deputy prime minister-cum-agriculture & cooperatives minister for his allegedly standing in the way of the Bhumjaithai-led government’s efforts to solve the transnational scammer issue which has already been declared a hot item of national agenda.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – De facto Pheu Thai boss-turned-inmate Thaksin Shinawatra. Photos – Thai Rath
Insert – Benjamin Mauerberger, alias Ben Smith. Photo – Thai Rath
Also read:
Anutin urged to fire Thammanat over suspected scam association
Govt only needs 30-day time to combat transnational scammer rackets: Prasert
Ex-Democrat leader Chalermchai tipped to join Thammanat’s camp
India probes money laundering, passport forgery linked to 900 Bangkok trips
