Panel Questions Digital Minister Over 40 Million Baht Bribery Allegations

On September 3 at parliament, Rangsiman Rom, a list-system representative and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, speaking as chair of the House Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights Committee, announced that the committee had discussed legal proceedings related to an alleged 40 million baht bribery offer connected to suppressing online gambling websites.

The committee identified two main issues: first, a bribery allegation against a minister, currently referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for potential dereliction of duty; and second, approximately 4,000 gambling websites allegedly linked to a figure known as "Khao" who allegedly attempted to bribe Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob through a parliamentary assistant.

Rangsiman presented a timeline showing that a conversation between Chatrmongkol Rangsaenphan, an assistant from the Thai Pride Party, and Khao occurred on September 20, 2568 at a tile shop. This was followed by coordination with Vorasit Liangprasit, Deputy Interior Minister, on September 25, and Vorasit's subsequent meeting with Chaiyachon on September 30.

Rangsiman noted that despite police claiming they would summon Khao, no formal summons or interrogation had occurred before September 2, when police finally interviewed him. Khao denied being the same person described in Chaiyachon's allegations. Rangsiman emphasized that no evidence has been found to support Chaiyachon's claims, and questioned whether Chaiyachon may have made false parliamentary statements or filed false police reports.

Rangsiman stated that if evidence of the 4,000 websites fails to materialize, Chaiyachon risks prosecution for providing false information to parliament and filing false complaints with authorities. The committee voted 8-1 to summon Chaiyachon and 8-2 to summon Vorasit for testimony on September 17 at 9:30 a.m.