Former minister in Anutin’s first government appears on Congress list for sanctions over scam industry

September 17, 2026 at 3:15 pm

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

in Crime , Economy , Living , Media , Politics , Thailand

Former Deputy Finance Minister Woraphak Thanyawong has been thrust into Washington’s crackdown on Southeast Asia’s vast scam industry. Two powerful US congressional chairmen named the former Anutin Cabinet member among 28 targets for investigation and possible sanctions. State and Treasury officials have 180 days to examine the case. Woraphak categorically denies links to scam centres, money laundering, human trafficking or cybercrime and has contacted OFAC to submit evidence. He has neither been sanctioned nor found responsible for wrongdoing. However, the move revives the controversy that forced his resignation as Washington targets an industry blamed for over $10 billion in American losses.

Former Deputy Finance Minister Woraphak Thanyawong faces a US sanctions investigation over Southeast Asian scam networks. He denies all links and has contacted the US Treasury Department. ( Source: The Nation and Congress )

A former member of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s first Cabinet has categorically denied links with transnational scam networks. His denial follows a major development this week in the United States Congress. Former Deputy Finance Minister Woraphak Thanyawong has been formally named for investigation and possible US sanctions.

However, Woraphak has not been sanctioned by the United States. Neither Congress nor any US government agency has found that he committed an offence. Instead, two powerful House committee chairmen have placed his name before Washington’s sanctions machinery. The action significantly raises the stakes in a controversy which forced his resignation last year.

On September 15, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Brian Mast joined House Select Committee on China chairman John Moolenaar. Together, they wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Their letter identifies 26 individuals and two companies for investigation. It seeks a determination within 180 days on whether those targets meet US sanctions criteria.

US congressional action reaches top departments as Woraphak denies wrongdoing and sanctions threat

Notably, copies also went to Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The move therefore reaches several of Washington’s most powerful departments. It comes as the United States intensifies its campaign against Southeast Asia’s vast cyber-fraud industry.

In response, Woraphak issued an unequivocal denial. “I have never participated in, supported, or been aware of scam-centre activities, he said. His denial covered money laundering, human trafficking, cybercrime and transnational organised crime.

Crucially, Woraphak also stressed the precise status of the congressional action. The letter was a request for investigation, he said. It was not an investigative finding, criminal judgment or American sanctions designation.

That distinction is confirmed by the congressional document. Mr Mast and Mr Moolenaar want the executive branch to investigate the named targets. Only afterwards would Washington determine whether legal grounds existed for sanctions.

Accordingly, the September 15 action has not frozen Woraphak’s assets. Nor has it placed him on an Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list. The committee says sanctions should follow only where statutory criteria are established.

Woraphak contacts US officials and fights Thai court cases as Washington examines possible sanctions

Even so, Woraphak has moved quickly to engage directly with Washington. He said he contacted the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC. He asked how he could submit facts and supporting documents for consideration.

In parallel, the former minister has sought contact with the two congressional committee chairmen. He wants an opportunity to explain his position. He also wants to know what information concerning him has been submitted. Woraphak says he is ready to cooperate fully with any examination.

On another front, he continues to pursue defamation proceedings in Thailand. According to Woraphak, one case has now been accepted for trial. A second has completed its preliminary examination. The court has yet to decide whether that case should proceed.

The result is an unusual two-track battle. In Thailand, Woraphak is challenging publications linking him with the purported network. In Washington, federal departments are being asked to examine whether sanctions criteria apply.

Neither process presently establishes wrongdoing by Woraphak. Yet the American intervention takes the controversy far beyond the political storm which ended his Cabinet career. His name now appears in an official congressional sanctions-investigation request.

US lawmakers name 28 targets as Magnitsky and cyber sanctions powers enter the regional scam crackdown

Alongside him are figures linked by lawmakers with Southeast Asia’s sprawling scam-centre economy. Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, is among them. So is Cambodian businessman Yim Leak.

The list also includes Eugene Tang, Hun To and Zhong Baojia, also known as Wang Qiang. Chou Bun Eng, Deng Pibing, Dy Vichea, Edward Lee and Gabriel Tan are included. Honn Sorachna, Kuoch Chamrouen, Li Xiong, Long Dimanche and Ma Dongli are also named.

Additionally, the lawmakers identify Michael Chiam, Mote Thun, Neth Savoeun, Sar Sokha and Su Zhongkian. Wang Liduan, Yan Borith, Yan Narong, Yan Sathya and Yu Lingxiong complete the individual names supplied. The two organisations are Fully Light Group of Companies Ltd and White Sands Palace Casino.

Altogether, 26 individuals and two entities face the requested examination. The lawmakers want US officials to examine them under four separate areas of sanctions law.

Among them is the Global Magnitsky framework. Washington uses it against qualifying serious human-rights abuses and significant corruption. Cyber-related sanctions powers are also cited. Measures covering transnational criminal organisations and Burma provide two further legal routes.

As part of this, Mr Mast and Mr Moolenaar want determinations within 180 days. That timetable puts the matter directly before the State and Treasury departments. It also creates a clear next stage for the investigation.

Washington widens its attack on Southeast Asia’s scam economy after Americans lose more than $10 billion

The congressional intervention carries additional weight because Washington has already used these sanctions powers across Southeast Asia. OFAC has repeatedly targeted people and businesses connected with regional scam operations. Consequently, the latest letter forms part of a much wider American offensive.

At its centre is a criminal economy operating across several Southeast Asian countries. The lawmakers say Chinese transnational criminal organisations drive much of the activity. They describe industrial-scale compounds built specifically for sophisticated online fraud.

Inside those centres, thousands of workers can target victims around the world. Americans are among their principal targets. Cryptocurrency investment fraud has become particularly lucrative.

For example, so-called pig-butchering schemes can cultivate victims for weeks or months. Fraudsters establish trust, friendship or romantic relationships. They later introduce apparently lucrative cryptocurrency or investment opportunities. Eventually, victims can transfer substantial savings into fraudulent platforms.

The losses have become enormous. US Treasury figures put American losses to Southeast Asia-based scams above $10 billion during 2024. Those losses have helped drive increasingly aggressive enforcement from Washington.

Congress focuses on trafficking and vast scam profits as Cambodia’s illicit economy draws US scrutiny

Beyond the financial damage, the congressional letter focuses heavily on human trafficking. Many workers inside scam compounds are themselves victims. Some travel to Southeast Asia after accepting apparently legitimate employment.

Once there, circumstances can change dramatically. Victims may be transported into guarded compounds and prevented from leaving. They can then be forced to conduct online fraud against people overseas.

Those refusing can face severe physical abuse. Reports cited by the lawmakers also describe torture and unlawful confinement. Around 400,000 people may have been trafficked into regional scam centres, according to estimates cited in Washington. Those victims reportedly come from more than 70 countries.

Equally striking is the estimated size of the illicit economy. Experts cited by the lawmakers put cyber-scam profits near 40% of Greater Mekong Subregion GDP during 2024. Cambodia receives particularly close attention.

There, scam profits could equal as much as 60% of formal GDP, according to estimates cited by the lawmakers. The congressional document also references reports claiming links between government figures and scam operations.

Reports cite Cambodian protection and new Myanmar scam compounds as Washington targets wider networks

A May 2025 report cited corruption and government protection as factors sustaining Cambodia’s scam industry. It also referred to alleged involvement by political elites. Those claims remain findings from reports cited by the congressional chairmen.

Separately, another report examined Cambodian investigations into scam compounds during June 2025. It found enforcement inadequate to prevent widespread reported abuses. These included human trafficking, forced labour, child labour, torture and unlawful detention.

Myanmar presents another major problem for Washington. Some large scam compounds have been dismantled there. Yet new operations have continued appearing along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Indeed, the congressional letter cites an Associated Press report published in June 2026. It identified at least 25 new scam areas since the previous autumn. That expansion came despite highly publicised action against established compounds.

For Washington, the pattern has shifted attention towards the systems behind individual scam centres. Physical raids can close compounds. However, financial networks and organisers can survive and rebuild elsewhere.

US lawmakers target financial networks and protection structures while Woraphak faces no sanctions yet

Mr Mast and Mr Moolenaar acknowledge that some regional governments have increased enforcement pressure. At the same time, they say key financial networks remain largely intact. Organisers and political protection structures also continue operating, according to their letter.

In some cases, scam operations have simply moved. New compounds have also continued being built. The lawmakers therefore want enforcement directed further up the chain.

Another concern involves trafficking victims who escape the compounds. Some are imprisoned or deported as illegal immigrants, according to material cited by Congress. That treatment can remove potentially important witnesses from investigations.

Against this backdrop, sanctions provide Washington with a powerful financial weapon. OFAC can block property and financial interests under applicable programmes. Restrictions can also affect transactions involving US persons and the American financial system.

For Woraphak, however, those consequences remain hypothetical. They would require an actual US designation under an applicable sanctions programme. The congressional letter itself imposes no financial punishment.

Previous US sanctions reached Thailand before Congress put Woraphak among its latest regional targets

Still, Washington’s recent record gives the request substantial significance. In September 2025, OFAC sanctioned a large network of Southeast Asian scam-centre targets. Treasury simultaneously highlighted the scale of American financial losses.

Two months later, Washington widened its campaign. Treasury sanctioned the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and associated businesses. That action extended directly into Thailand.

Specifically, Trans Asia International Holding Group Thailand Company Limited was included. Thai national Chamu Sawang was also sanctioned. Thailand was therefore already within the reach of Washington’s regional enforcement drive.

More recently, another major action came on June 23, 2026. Treasury imposed sanctions connected with the Prince Group network. Nine individuals and 26 entities were targeted.

Taken together, those actions provide the backdrop to this week’s congressional intervention. Washington has already moved from warnings towards financial sanctions. Congress is now pressing the executive branch to examine another group of regional targets.

For Thailand, Woraphak’s inclusion carries an added political dimension. Less than one year ago, he was Deputy Finance Minister in Mr Anutin’s first Cabinet. He entered government in September 2025.

Woraphak quit Anutin’s first Cabinet after reports linked him to Cambodian financiers he strongly denied

Within weeks, however, reports began linking his name with figures operating in Cambodia’s financial world. On October 22, he resigned. His Cabinet tenure had lasted only about one month.

At the time, reports connected Woraphak with Yim Leak, BIC Group and BIC Bank Cambodia. Questions also emerged over his acquaintance with Benjamin Mauerberger. Woraphak rejected those reports emphatically.

He acknowledged knowing Mr Yim and confirmed meeting him. Nonetheless, he denied serving as a director, executive or adviser to BIC Bank Cambodia. He also denied receiving remuneration from the organisation.

Woraphak said his photograph and name had appeared on its website without his knowledge. Subsequently, archived BIC Group material reportedly identified him as part of its “board advisory”. Woraphak maintained his denial.

Regarding Mr Mauerberger, Woraphak offered another explanation. He said he essentially knew the businessman because their children attended the same school. He denied knowledge of Mr Mauerberger’s business activities.

More importantly, he categorically denied involvement with scam operations. Reports concerning financial transactions involving his wife were also rejected. Woraphak said she never maintained the cryptocurrency account described in reports.

Woraphak took accusers to court after resigning and denied illicit transactions involving his wife

Likewise, he denied that his wife received benefits connected with the purported network. Ultimately, he stepped down from government. Woraphak said he did not want the controversy to burden Mr Anutin’s Cabinet.

His resignation did not end the dispute. Instead, the former minister turned to Thailand’s courts. In November 2025, he filed a criminal defamation case against financial analyst Sarinee Achavanuntakul.

Woraphak sought ฿50 million in damages. The case concerned publications linking him with the wider scam-network controversy. His case also addressed financial transactions involving his wife.

According to Woraphak, those transactions concerned legitimate investments and redemption of investment units. He rejected suggestions that they represented illicit payments.

In a separate legal action, he targeted people behind the Whale Hunting investigative project. Whale Hunting said Woraphak filed a criminal defamation action seeking approximately US$1.5 million.

The publication has investigated Mr Mauerberger and the wider network for several years. Its account of the lawsuit is therefore the position of a party to that litigation.

Thai asset seizures top ฿20 billion as Woraphak’s court battles return amid deeper US cooperation

Now, those proceedings have returned to the foreground. Woraphak says one defamation case has been accepted by a Thai court for trial. Another has completed preliminary examination.

Meanwhile, the broader network surrounding the controversy has come under increasing enforcement pressure. The affair has involved Mr Mauerberger, Mr Yim and financial structures associated with Finansia and Capital Asia Investments. Some claims surrounding those relationships remain disputed.

Thai enforcement activity, however, has become substantial. In April, Mr Anutin’s government announced asset freezes and seizures exceeding ฿20 billion. Two operations involved cases concerning Tangthai, Yim Leak, Wirinya, Ben Smith and Katriya and associates.

The first operation involved approximately ฿12 billion in assets. A second involved another ฿8.2 billion. Thailand has therefore targeted significant assets during its wider transnational scam crackdown.

At the diplomatic level, cooperation with Washington has also deepened. Mr Anutin met FBI Director Kash Patel in July. According to the Thai government, they agreed to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime and scam networks.

Then came the September 15 congressional letter. Within hours, it began generating political reaction in Bangkok.

Korn attacks slow Thai action after US lawmakers put former Anutin Cabinet member under sanctions review

Democrat Party deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij highlighted the development on September 16. The former Finance Minister focused particularly on the inclusion of a former member of Mr Anutin’s first Cabinet.

Mr Korn has previously pressed Thai regulators over the wider financial controversy. He said his party and a House committee had already submitted evidence to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Specifically, he referred to the House Finance and Banking Committee. Mr Korn criticised what he considered insufficient progress by Thai regulators.

This week, he argued that foreign governments were acting because Thailand had moved too slowly. That remains Mr Korn’s political assessment. It is not a judicial or regulatory finding against Woraphak.

Elsewhere, Mr Korn has raised questions about other figures connected with Mr Anutin’s governments. They include Prasert Jantararuangtong and Suriya Juangroongruangkit.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has also faced questions from Mr Korn concerning the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those questions concerned financial structures which Mr Korn associated with the wider network.

Other Anutin government figures faced questions but no findings as Woraphak occupies a different position

Yet none amounts to a finding against the ministers. Nor does the September 15 congressional action identify them alongside Woraphak as former Thai ministers under examination.

Photographs have also circulated showing Mr Mauerberger with prominent Thai political figures. They have included Mr Anutin himself, Mr Ekniti and Capt Thammanat Prompao.

Those pictured have disputed suggestions that photographs establish substantive business relationships or wrongdoing. A photograph, by itself, establishes neither.

In another strand, Mr Prasert faced claims concerning a purported ฿40 million monthly bribe. The claims related to illegal online businesses. He denied receiving or being offered such benefits while serving as Digital Economy and Society Minister.

Woraphak therefore occupies a different position following this week’s Washington action. He is the former Thai Cabinet member explicitly named in the September 15 congressional request.

His name now sits before the State and Treasury departments for examination. It appears alongside prominent Cambodian figures and businesspeople identified by the lawmakers.

Yet his legal position remains unchanged. Woraphak has not been sanctioned by the United States. Nor has the congressional letter found him responsible for scam centres or money laundering.

Similarly, no finding against him has been made concerning cybercrime or human trafficking through this process. Instead, two senior House committee chairmen want American agencies to investigate him.

Woraphak denies wrongdoing as Washington begins the 180-day examination that could determine sanctions

Woraphak has answered with a categorical denial. He has also contacted OFAC and offered to submit evidence. At home, his defamation litigation continues.

From here, the next substantive move belongs to Washington. The State and Treasury departments have been asked to examine the available information within 180 days.

If statutory requirements are not established, the congressional request itself imposes no sanction. An eventual designation, by contrast, would move the matter into a fundamentally different phase.

For now, that point has not been reached. Woraphak continues to deny every suggestion of involvement in the criminal activities described by lawmakers.

Nearly a year after his resignation, however, the controversy has moved decisively beyond Bangkok. It has reached Capitol Hill and two influential congressional committees.

More significantly, Woraphak’s name is now before the US departments controlling Washington’s sanctions machinery. The 180-day examination requested by Congress will determine what comes next.

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James Morris is a pename for an international writer based in Bangkok who works on various international news media. He is a sub editor with the Thai Examiner news website since it began in 2015. Son Nguyen is an international writer and news commentator specialising in Thai news and current affairs. He commenced working with the Thai Examiner News Desk in May 2018.

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2026年9月17日下午3:15

作者：詹姆斯·莫里斯和孙阮

在犯罪、经济、生活、媒体、政治、泰国

前财政部副部长沃拉帕克·塔尼亚翁（Woraphak Thanyawong）被卷入华盛顿打击东南亚庞大诈骗产业的行动中。两位颇具影响力的美国国会主席将这位前阿努廷内阁成员列入28名调查和可能制裁的目标名单。国务院和财政部官员有180天的时间来审查此案。沃拉帕克断然否认与诈骗中心、洗钱、人口贩卖或网络犯罪有任何关联，并已联系美国财政部外国资产控制办公室（OFAC）提交证据。他既未受到制裁，也未被认定有任何不当行为。然而，此举再次引发了导致他辞职的争议，因为华盛顿正在打击一个被指造成美国损失超过100亿美元的产业。

前财政部副部长沃拉帕克·塔尼亚翁因涉嫌参与东南亚诈骗网络而面临美国制裁调查。他否认与该网络有任何关联，并已联系美国财政部。（来源：《民族报》和《国会报》）

曾任总理阿努廷·查恩维拉库尔首届内阁成员的沃拉帕克·塔尼亚翁否认与跨国诈骗网络有任何关联。此前，美国国会本周发生了一项重大进展：前财政部副部长沃拉帕克·塔尼亚翁已被正式点名接受调查，并可能面临美国制裁。

然而，沃拉帕克并未受到美国的制裁。国会和任何美国政府机构均未认定他犯有任何罪行。相反，两位颇具影响力的众议院委员会主席已将他的名字提交给华盛顿的制裁机制。此举显著提升了这场争议的严重性，这场争议最终迫使他于去年辞职。

9月15日，众议院外交事务委员会主席布莱恩·马斯特与众议院中国问题特别委员会主席约翰·穆勒纳尔联名致信国务卿马可·卢比奥和财政部长斯科特·贝森特。信中列出了26名个人和两家公司，要求对其进行调查，并要求在180天内确定这些目标是否符合美国制裁标准。

沃拉帕克否认不当行为和制裁威胁，美国国会采取行动已波及各高级部门。

值得注意的是，司法部长托德·布兰奇和国土安全部长马克韦恩·穆林也收到了副本。因此，此举影响到了华盛顿几个最有影响力的部门。与此同时，美国正加大力度打击东南亚庞大的网络诈骗产业。

对此，沃拉帕克断然否认。他说：“我从未参与、支持或知晓任何诈骗中心活动。”他的否认涵盖了洗钱、人口贩卖、网络犯罪和跨国有组织犯罪。

至关重要的是，沃拉帕克还强调了国会行动的具体性质。他说，这封信是要求进行调查，而不是调查结果、刑事判决或美国制裁决定。

国会文件证实了这一区别。马斯特先生和穆勒纳尔先生希望行政部门对所列目标进行调查。只有在调查结束后，华盛顿才会决定是否存在实施制裁的法律依据。

因此，9月15日的行动并未冻结沃拉帕克的资产，也未将其列入外国资产控制办公室的制裁名单。委员会表示，只有在符合法定标准的情况下，才能实施制裁。

沃拉帕克与美国官员联系，并在泰国法院提起诉讼，与此同时，华盛顿方面正在考虑可能的制裁措施。

即便如此，沃拉帕克还是迅速采取行动，直接与华盛顿方面接触。他说他已联系了美国财政部外国资产控制办公室（OFAC），询问如何提交事实和佐证文件供其审议。

与此同时，这位前部长已联系了国会两个委员会的主席。他希望有机会解释自己的立场，并了解已提交的有关他的信息。沃拉帕克表示，他愿意全力配合任何调查。

另一方面，他仍在泰国继续提起诽谤诉讼。据沃拉帕克称，其中一起案件已被法院受理审理，另一起案件已完成初步审查，法院尚未决定是否继续审理。

结果是一场不同寻常的双轨博弈。在泰国，沃拉帕克对那些将他与所谓的犯罪网络联系起来的出版物提出质疑。在华盛顿，联邦部门被要求审查制裁标准是否适用。

目前，这两项程序均未认定沃拉帕克存在不当行为。然而，美国的介入使这场争议远远超出了导致他内阁生涯终结的政治风暴。他的名字现在出现在国会正式的制裁调查请求中。

美国议员公布28个目标，马格尼茨基法案和网络制裁权力纳入区域打击诈骗行动

与他一同被列入名单的还有一些与东南亚庞大的诈骗中心经济有关联的人物，这些人物被一些立法者认为与该经济体系有关。其中包括本杰明·毛尔伯格（又名本·史密斯），以及柬埔寨商人严利克。

名单中还包括尤金·唐、洪图和钟宝甲（又名王强）。周文英、邓丕兵、戴维切、爱德华·李和加布里埃尔·谭也榜上有名。洪索拉赫纳、郭查姆鲁恩、李雄、龙迪芒什和马东利也位列其中。

此外，议员们还指认了Michael Chiam、Mote Thun、Neth Savoeun、Sar Sokha和Su Zhongkian。Wang Liduan、Yan Borith、Yan Narong、Yan Sathya和Yu Lingxiong也提供了个人姓名。涉案的两家机构分别是Fully Light Group of Companies Ltd和White Sands Palace Casino。

总共有26名个人和两个实体面临此次审查。议员们希望美国官员根据制裁法的四个不同领域对他们进行审查。

其中包括《全球马格尼茨基人权问责框架》。华盛顿利用该框架打击符合条件的严重侵犯人权行为和重大腐败行为。网络相关制裁权力也被援引。针对跨国犯罪组织和缅甸的措施则提供了另外两条法律途径。

为此，马斯特先生和穆勒纳尔先生希望在180天内作出决定。这一时间表将此事直接交由国务院和财政部处理，也为调查的下一步工作划定了明确的方向。

在美国人损失超过100亿美元后，华盛顿加大了对东南亚骗局经济的打击力度。

国会的介入更具分量，因为华盛顿此前已在东南亚地区动用了这些制裁权力。美国财政部外国资产控制办公室（OFAC）曾多次将与该地区诈骗活动相关的个人和企业列为制裁目标。因此，这封最新的信函是美国更大规模行动的一部分。

其核心是一个横跨多个东南亚国家的犯罪经济体系。议员们表示，中国跨国犯罪组织是其中大部分活动的幕后推手。他们还描述了专门为复杂的网络诈骗而建造的大规模犯罪窝点。

在这些诈骗中心内，成千上万的诈骗人员可以锁定世界各地的受害者。美国人是他们的主要目标之一。加密货币投资诈骗尤其有利可图。

例如，所谓的“宰猪骗局”会花费数周甚至数月的时间引诱受害者。诈骗分子会先建立信任、友谊或恋爱关系，然后向受害者推介看似利润丰厚的加密货币或投资机会。最终，受害者可能会将大量积蓄转移到诈骗平台上。

损失已变得十分巨大。美国财政部的数据显示，2024年美国因东南亚诈骗造成的损失将超过100亿美元。这些损失促使华盛顿加大了执法力度。

美国国会重点关注人口贩运和巨额诈骗利润，柬埔寨非法经济受到美国密切关注

除了经济损失之外，国会信函还重点关注人口贩卖问题。许多在诈骗营地工作的工人本身就是受害者。有些人接受了看似合法的工作后前往东南亚。

一旦被带到那里，情况可能会发生剧变。受害者可能会被转移到戒备森严的场所，并被禁止离开。然后，他们可能被迫对海外人士实施网络诈骗。

拒绝者可能面临严重的身体虐待。议员们引用的报告还描述了酷刑和非法拘禁的情况。据华盛顿方面援引的估计，约有40万人可能被贩运到区域诈骗中心。据报道，这些受害者来自70多个国家。

同样令人震惊的是非法经济的规模估计。立法者援引专家的话说，到2024年，网络诈骗所得利润将接近大湄公河次区域GDP的40%。柬埔寨尤其受到密切关注。

据议员们援引的估计，诈骗所得可能高达该国正规GDP的60%。国会文件还提及一些报告，声称政府官员与诈骗活动存在关联。

报道援引柬埔寨保护伞和缅甸新骗局，指出华盛顿正将目标转向更广泛的网络。

2025年5月的一份报告指出，腐败和政府庇护是柬埔寨诈骗产业得以持续发展的因素。报告还提及政治精英涉嫌参与其中。这些说法仍然是国会主席们引用的报告结论。

此外，另一份报告调查了柬埔寨在2025年6月期间对诈骗窝点的调查情况。报告发现，执法力度不足以阻止已报告的普遍存在的侵权行为，包括人口贩运、强迫劳动、童工、酷刑和非法拘留。

缅甸给华盛顿带来了另一个重大难题。一些大型诈骗窝点已被捣毁，但新的诈骗活动仍在缅甸-泰国边境地区不断涌现。

事实上，国会信中引用了美联社2026年6月发布的一份报告。该报告指出，自前年秋季以来，至少出现了25个新的诈骗窝点。尽管当局已对一些老牌诈骗窝点采取了广为人知的打击行动，但这些窝点仍然不断扩张。

对华盛顿而言，这种模式已将注意力转移到各个诈骗中心背后的系统上。突袭行动可以捣毁这些窝点，但金融网络和组织者可以幸存下来，并在其他地方重建。

美国立法者将矛头指向金融网络和保护机制，而沃拉帕克目前尚未面临任何制裁。

马斯特先生和穆勒纳尔先生承认，一些地方政府加大了执法力度。与此同时，他们表示，关键的金融网络基本完好无损。根据他们的信函，组织者和政治保护机构也仍在运作。

在某些情况下，诈骗活动只是转移了地点。新的诈骗窝点也在不断建设。因此，立法者希望将执法力度进一步加强到犯罪链条的上游。

另一个令人担忧的问题是，一些人口贩运受害者逃离了收容所。根据国会引用的资料，其中一些人被监禁或作为非法移民被驱逐出境。这种待遇可能会使一些潜在的重要证人无法参与调查。

在此背景下，制裁为华盛顿提供了一项强有力的金融武器。外国资产控制办公室（OFAC）可以根据相关计划冻结财产和金融权益。限制措施还会影响涉及美国公民和美国金融体系的交易。

然而，对沃拉帕克而言，这些后果目前仍停留在假设阶段。它们需要美国根据相关制裁计划将其列入正式名单。国会信函本身并未规定任何经济处罚。

此前美国对泰国的制裁，在国会将沃拉帕克列入最新地区制裁目标之前，就已经波及到泰国。

尽管如此，华盛顿近期的记录赋予了这项请求重大意义。2025年9月，美国财政部外国资产控制办公室（OFAC）对一个庞大的东南亚诈骗中心网络实施了制裁。与此同时，财政部也强调了美国金融损失的规模。

两个月后，华盛顿扩大了制裁范围。财政部对民主克伦仁爱军及其相关企业实施了制裁。这一行动直接波及泰国。

具体而言，Trans Asia International Holding Group Thailand Company Limited 也被列入制裁名单。泰国公民 Chamu Sawang 也受到制裁。因此，泰国当时已在华盛顿的区域制裁行动的管辖范围内。

最近，2026年6月23日，美国财政部采取了另一项重大行动。财政部对与王子集团网络相关的实体实施了制裁，共有9名个人和26个实体受到制裁。

综上所述，这些行动构成了本周国会干预的背景。华盛顿方面已从警告转向金融制裁。国会目前正敦促行政部门审查另一批地区目标。

对泰国而言，沃拉帕克的加入更具政治意义。不到一年前，他还是阿努廷首届内阁的财政部副部长。他将于2025年9月正式进入政府任职。

沃拉帕克在被曝与柬埔寨金融家有关联后，辞去了阿努廷的第一届内阁职务，他对此予以强烈否认。

然而，几周之内，就有报道将他的名字与柬埔寨金融界的某些人物联系起来。10月22日，他辞职了。他的内阁任期仅持续了一个月左右。

当时有报道称沃拉帕克与任利克、BIC集团和柬埔寨BIC银行有关联。此外，还有人质疑他与本杰明·毛尔伯格的关系。沃拉帕克对此予以坚决否认。

他承认认识Yim先生，并证实曾与他会面。然而，他否认曾担任柬埔寨BIC银行的董事、高管或顾问，也否认从该机构领取过任何报酬。

沃拉帕克称，他的照片和姓名未经他同意出现在该公司网站上。随后，据报道，BIC集团的存档资料显示，他曾是该公司“董事会顾问”成员。沃拉帕克对此予以否认。

关于毛尔贝格先生，沃拉帕克给出了另一种解释。他说，他之所以认识这位商人，是因为他们的孩子就读于同一所学校。但他否认自己了解毛尔贝格先生的商业活动。

更重要的是，他断然否认参与任何诈骗活动。有关他妻子进行金融交易的报道也遭到否认。沃拉帕克表示，他妻子从未持有报道中所述的加密货币账户。

沃拉帕克辞职后将指控者告上法庭，并否认与妻子有任何非法交易。

同样，他也否认了妻子曾从所谓的利益网络中获益的说法。最终，他辞去了政府职务。沃拉帕克表示，他不想让这场争议给阿努廷的内阁带来负担。

他的辞职并未平息争端。这位前部长转而诉诸泰国法院。2025年11月，他以诽谤罪起诉金融分析师萨琳·阿查瓦努塔库尔。

沃拉帕克索赔5000万泰铢。此案涉及将他与更广泛的诈骗网络丑闻联系起来的出版物。他的案件还涉及其妻子的金融交易。

沃拉帕克表示，这些交易涉及合法投资和投资份额赎回。他否认了这些交易属于非法支付的说法。

在另一起诉讼中，他将矛头指向了“捕鲸”调查项目的幕后人员。“捕鲸”项目称，沃拉帕克提起刑事诽谤诉讼，索赔金额约为150万美元。

该刊物对毛尔伯格先生及其所属的犯罪网络进行了数年的调查。因此，它对诉讼的描述代表了诉讼当事方的立场。

随着沃拉帕克官司重燃，美泰合作加深，泰国资产被查封总额超过200亿泰铢。

如今，这些诉讼程序再次成为关注焦点。沃拉帕克表示，其中一起诽谤案已被泰国法院受理审理，另一起案件已完成初步审查。

与此同时，围绕这场争议的更广泛网络正面临越来越大的执法压力。该事件涉及毛尔伯格先生、严先生以及与Finansia和Capital Asia Investments相关的金融机构。围绕这些关系的一些说法仍存在争议。

然而，泰国的执法行动已相当有力。今年4月，阿努廷政府宣布冻结和查封资产超过200亿泰铢。其中两项行动涉及唐泰、Yim Leak、Wirinya、Ben Smith、Katriya及其同伙的案件。

第一次行动涉及约120亿泰铢的资产。第二次行动涉及另外82亿泰铢。因此，泰国在打击跨国诈骗的大规模行动中，锁定了大量目标资产。

在外交层面，与华盛顿的合作也日益深化。阿努廷先生于7月会见了美国联邦调查局局长卡什·帕特尔。据泰国政府称，双方同意加强合作，打击跨国犯罪和诈骗网络。

随后，9月15日国会致函国会。几个小时之内，这封信就在曼谷引发了政治反响。

美国议员将前阿努廷内阁成员列入制裁审查名单后，科恩抨击泰国行动迟缓。

民主党副主席科恩·查蒂卡瓦尼于9月16日重点介绍了这一进展。这位前财政部长特别关注了阿努廷先生第一届内阁的一位前成员的加入。

科恩先生此前曾就更广泛的金融争议向泰国监管机构施压。他表示，他的政党和众议院委员会已经向证券交易委员会提交了证据。

他特别提到了众议院财政和银行委员会。科恩先生批评泰国监管机构进展不足。

本周，他辩称外国政府之所以采取行动，是因为泰国行动过于迟缓。这仍然是科恩先生的政治评估，并非针对沃拉帕克的司法或监管裁决。

此外，科恩先生还对与阿努廷政府有关联的其他人物提出了质疑，其中包括普拉瑟·詹塔拉朗通和苏里亚·宗龙伦吉。

财政部长埃克尼蒂·尼蒂坦普拉帕斯也曾面临科恩先生关于证券交易委员会的质询。这些问题涉及科恩先生认为与更广泛网络相关的金融结构。

阿努廷政府的其他成员也面临质询，但由于沃拉帕克所处的职位不同，因此没有调查结果。

然而，这些都不足以构成对这些部长不利的结论。9月15日的国会决议也没有将他们与沃拉帕克一同列为正在接受调查的前泰国部长。

流传的照片显示，毛尔贝格先生与泰国一些知名政治人物合影，其中包括阿努廷先生本人、埃克尼蒂先生和塔玛纳特·普罗姆帕奥上尉。

照片中的人物反驳了照片能够确立实质性商业关系或不当行为的说法。照片本身并不能确立任何关系或行为。

另一方面，普拉瑟特先生还面临着每月收受4000万泰铢贿赂的指控。这些指控与非法网络业务有关。他否认在担任数字经济和社会部长期间收受或被提供过此类好处。

因此，在华盛顿本周采取行动之后，沃拉帕克的处境发生了变化。他是9月15日国会请求中明确提及的那位泰国前内阁成员。

他的名字现在已提交给国务院和财政部审查。与他一同出现在议员们点名的柬埔寨知名人士和商人名单上的还有他的名字。

然而，他的法律地位依然如故。沃拉帕克并未受到美国的制裁。国会的信函也并未认定他与诈骗中心或洗钱活动有关。

同样，通过这一程序，也没有就网络犯罪或人口贩运对他做出任何不利认定。相反，两位众议院高级委员会主席希望美国相关机构对他展开调查。

沃拉帕克否认有任何不当行为，华盛顿方面已启动为期180天的调查，该调查可能决定对其实施制裁。

沃拉帕克断然否认了这些指控。他还联系了美国财政部外国资产控制办公室（OFAC），并表示愿意提交证据。与此同时，他在家中的诽谤诉讼仍在继续。

接下来，实质性的下一步行动将取决于华盛顿。国务院和财政部已被要求在180天内审查现有信息。

如果法律条文尚未确立，国会的请求本身并不构成制裁。相反，如果最终获得认定，则会将此事推入一个截然不同的阶段。

目前，尚未达到这一阶段。沃拉帕克继续否认议员们所描述的所有犯罪活动指控。

然而，在他辞职近一年后，这场争议已经远远超出了曼谷的范畴，蔓延到了国会山，并引起了两个颇具影响力的国会委员会的关注。

更重要的是，沃拉帕克的名字现在已经出现在负责华盛顿制裁机制的美国各部门面前。国会要求进行的为期180天的审查将决定下一步的行动。

警方在洛坤府发现一具尸体，死因不明，随后展开对一名DJ的追捕。

泰国南部达叻府发生一起骇人听闻的事件，一名61岁男子在光天化日之下被残忍杀害，举国震惊。

周四，在孔敬府，一名59岁男子因害怕酒友是“Phi Pop鬼魂”而将其杀害。

继母被谋杀与酒精和财产纠纷密切相关。嫌疑人在被起诉前向警方认罪。

继父残忍杀害一名13岁女孩后，农布阿兰普村爆发愤怒的民众抗议，现场气氛紧张。

新西兰男子被岳父刺伤后，原谅了岳父并帮助他缴纳保释金。

周日晚间，曼谷一名因路怒症引发的毒贩刺死一名缅甸画家。

周一上午，那空是贪玛叻府发生的一起悲惨的谋杀-自杀案与吸食大麻有关。

泰国卫生部长公布法律，拟禁止娱乐性大麻使用，大麻产业面临灾难性后果。

从2022年大选的起义来看，大麻合法化似乎对执政联盟构成了巨大的政治威胁。

詹姆斯·莫里斯（James Morris）是一位常驻曼谷的国际作家，笔名，他为多家国际新闻媒体撰稿。自2015年泰国新闻网站Thai Examiner成立以来，他一直是该网站的副编辑。孙阮（Son Nguyen）是一位国际作家和新闻评论员，专长于泰国新闻和时事。他于2018年5月加入Thai Examiner新闻编辑部。

James Morris 和 Son Nguyen 的所有帖子

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泰国人工智能计划遭遇困境和瓶颈。新的AIS协议提供每月29泰铢的低价互联网服务，预计于2026年9月13日生效。泰国耗资16亿泰铢的旗舰人工智能计划遭遇挫折。

泰国总理紧急采取措施，力图在能源和监管停滞后重振数据中心行业（2026年9月13日） 泰国数据中心热潮遭遇监管壁垒

2026年9月12日，芭堤雅女子Beam Mukassara称，一名神秘中国男子利用丢失的手机将一名泰国女子诱骗至其公寓并对其进行性侵。

前阿瑜陀耶寺住持及其情妇因涉嫌财务纠纷被法院拒绝保释并送入监狱（2026年9月12日） 性、现金和黄金充斥着阿瑜陀耶皇家寺庙

旅游热点地区日益关注来自中东国家的游客拒付车费等不文明行为。2026年9月12日，一名外国游客在普吉岛嘲笑一名摩托车骑手。

2026年9月11日，一名因性侵未成年女性而被通缉的美国男子在清迈佛教静修中心被捕。泰国警方渗透了清迈的一处冥想静修中心。

2026年9月11日，在反对党对预算进行审查之际，阿努廷总理将代表泰国前往奥斯陆参加哈拉尔五世国王的葬礼。此次皇家访问使阿努廷与君主和世界各国领导人齐聚一堂。

泰国央行警告称，小企业部门面临严重危机，经济潜力正在下降（2026年9月11日） 随着出口下滑，泰国面临日益扩大的经济分化

2026年9月10日，一名蒙面男子在巴吞他尼实施武装抢劫，劫走150万泰铢后焚毁了逃跑车辆。同日，一名持枪男子将六人困在一家泰泰银行内。

2026年9月10日，一名警官在儿子带领下向警方投降，他痛哭流涕，此前一天他刚刚杀害了自己的妻子。幼儿园枪击案以黎明时分的戏剧性投降告终。

2026年9月9日，华欣一名酒店凶手拉提科恩·“萨姆”·阿特金斯被判死刑，此前他因吸毒后神志不清而抢劫并残忍地将一名酒店员工殴打致死。

2026年9月9日，泰国特别调查局（DSI）考虑对芭堤雅一个庞大的以色列人网络展开调查，并考虑发出传票和提出刑事指控。以色列商人迈蒙·大卫·马尔西亚诺（Maimon David Marsiano）面临泰国特别调查局的调查。

2026年9月9日，一名荷兰男子在苏梅岛一家酒吧殴打一名年轻的泰国女子后，经调解达成和解。监控录像显示，该荷兰男子多次殴打一名泰国女子。

一名法国男子被关押在苏梅岛警察局，遣返程序即将开始。一名以色列男子于2026年9月9日被转移到波普特。凯文·迪米诺在首相下台后被关押在苏梅岛。

地方政府考试丑闻暗示全国范围内存在系统性腐败，甚至蔓延至部长级层面 2026年9月8日 帕卡蒙揭露泰国考试丑闻新篇章

民意调查显示，在当前紧张的政治氛围下，公众对以色列在泰国的不当行为表示担忧 2026年9月14日

前为泰党部长警告欧盟委员会成员，关键投票即将到来，他们可能很快就会受到评判（2026年9月13日）

泰国著名寺院爆出性丑闻和财务丑闻。住持及其女友聚敛巨额财富。2026年9月13日

泰国被誉为退休人士和数字游民的天堂，但官员们却散布疑虑和不确定性 2026年9月12日

商务部长苏帕吉回应桑迪·林通库对新自由投资规则的抨击 2026年9月12日

泰国针对以色列的施压运动与街头抗议活动相结合，势头强劲 2026年9月12日

曼谷一家度假村逮捕了一名银行劫匪。54岁的赛法·卡塞穆特曾有持械抢劫前科。2026年9月12日

前总理兼民主党领袖指出公众对选举委员会缺乏信任 2026年9月11日

2026年9月11日，由于政府查封或冻结超过200亿美元的资产，外国代理公司数量下降了81.77%。

阿瑜陀耶寺住持脱去僧袍，此前警方秘密潜伏数月后逮捕了寺庙高级官员 2026年9月10日

资深抗议领袖兼媒体大佬桑迪于2026年9月10日在以色列大使馆前发起街头抗议活动。

泰国部长阿努廷表示，美泰实质性贸易协议有望在阿努廷与特朗普通话后最终敲定（2026年9月10日）

2026年9月9日，芭堤雅一名警察在幼儿园枪杀了妻子，随后在家中被警方包围。

泰国准备进入核电时代，计划在2037年前建成两座小型模块化反应堆（2026年9月9日）

受8月份通胀率2.53%的影响，汽油和柴油价格上涨。然而，市场信心预计在2026年9月9日也会上升。

全国范围内的调查目标是超过3.6万家与外国人有关联的土地公司和另外7000家拥有公寓的公司 2026年9月8日

2026年9月8日，一名性交易网络头目因涉嫌儿童色情犯罪活动于周日被警方突袭逮捕。

维权律师呼吁对挪用残疾人彩票收入、为富人谋利的腐败行为采取行动 2026年9月8日

泰国内政部将于2026年9月7日开始执行有关犹太人葬礼和墓地的法律。

国家广播电视和电信委员会（NBTC）内部依然混乱，主席赢得诉诸法庭的权利。委员会成员将于2026年9月7日开始工作。

一名英国男子在芭堤雅中天区遭到恶性袭击，一名泰国男子被捕。一名70岁老人于2026年9月7日被踢中面部。

“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰结束对泰国的特别访问后离开。舰长对泰国的热情接待表示感谢。2026年9月6日

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