Ex-Finance Minister Denies US Sanctions List Implicates Him
Former Finance Minister Vorapak Thanyawongse denies involvement in alleged crimes after appearing on a US Congressional review list for potential sanctions, stating he has contacted US Treasury officials and Thai courts to provide evidence
Two US Congressional committee chairs—Brian Mast, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China—sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting review of 28 foreign individuals and companies to determine whether they qualify for sanctions under US law. Former Finance Minister Vorapak Thanyawongse appeared on that list.
In a Facebook statement, Vorapak clarified that the letter was merely a request for US government agencies to examine whether those named meet legal criteria for sanctions—not a finding of guilt or an existing sanction. He explicitly denied any involvement in scam centers, money laundering, human trafficking, cybercrime, or transnational crime.
Vorapak said he has formally contacted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the US Treasury Department to provide factual evidence and documentation for review. He is also sending letters to both congressional committee chairs requesting an opportunity to respond to the allegations and asking for related information.
He stated his willingness to cooperate fully with any investigation, believing that facts, evidence, and verifiable process are the best defense against serious accusations. Vorapak noted that on separate allegations made previously against him in Thailand, he has filed defamation cases, with one currently under court examination and another having completed preliminary inquiry proceedings pending judicial ruling.
Regarding questions about whether his appearance on the US letter connects to pending cases in Thai courts, Vorapak said he would not speculate but would use facts, evidence, and verifiable process to address both Thai and US authorities. He declined to comment on or dispute details of allegations in Thai court proceedings at this time to avoid prejudicing the judicial process.
