Rangsiman Puzzled by Thailand's Failure to Issue Arrest Warrant for Ben Smith, Notes Seized Assets Are Less Than Expected

On February 17, 2024, Rangsiman Rome, deputy leader of the People's Party, commented on the Thai government's moves to seize assets from scammer networks. He emphasized that the current actions are insufficient, noting that while an arrest warrant was issued for Yim Leak, no such warrant has been issued for Ben Smith, despite Smith's assets being more substantial. Rangsiman argued that the lack of an arrest warrant for Ben Smith is a critical missing piece, preventing potential international police red notice and limiting Smith's movements. He believes the Cambodian government's anti-scammer efforts are merely a performance, pointing to connections between Huiwan, Hun Tao (Hun Sen's nephew), and Chen Zi. He criticized the slow process, suggesting that the prolonged investigation allows criminal networks to transfer and manage their assets, ultimately reducing the chances of significant asset seizures. Rangsiman stressed that the current asset seizures are minimal compared to the total money involved and called for more decisive action to help scam victims.