BANGKOK, THAILAND – A leaked photograph showing Thailand’s prime minister and finance minister with controversial financier Ben Smith triggered intense political backlash following a multibillion‑baht asset freeze.
Photo leak follows massive asset freeze
A single image, anonymously uploaded to Facebook, showed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas standing alongside financier Ben Smith, also known in international media as Benjamin Mauerberger. The photo surfaced just 24 hours after the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) froze assets worth 9.279 billion baht allegedly linked to Smith’s circle.
Investigators attributed to Smith complex money laundering and scam structures with connections to Cambodia, raising alarm across Bangkok’s political scene. The timing of the image and the seizure put the government under rare and immediate pressure.
Opposition demands full investigation
Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, now enjoying strong polling, called for an immediate and comprehensive probe, saying the image created a “dangerous perception” that could erode confidence in the administration.
“The government must disclose every connection to scam networks – immediately.”
said Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister.
The Democrat Party stressed that a photograph alone did not prove wrongdoing but insisted the public had a right to know when, where and why the meeting took place. Adding to the political heat, Smith’s name appeared in a draft US law targeting international scam networks.
Prime minister insists on ‘chance encounter’
Amid the uproar, Anutin issued a detailed explanation, saying the picture was taken in Singapore in 2014, shortly after the military coup. He stated he had joined a group dinner with the delegation of Gen. Apirat Kongsompong and that Smith happened to be present by coincidence.
“There was no connection whatsoever. No contact afterwards. No relationship.”
said Anutin Charnvirakul, prime minister.
He further claimed that, as interior minister, he had personally rejected Smith’s application for Thai citizenship, a move he suggested “might have harmed [him] politically.” According to Anutin, if he had been close to Smith, the current multibillion‑baht seizures would hardly have been possible.
Finance minister distances himself from Smith
Finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas also rejected any suggestion of political ties, stating that the photograph was taken during a Royal Thai Police training programme where he served as a lecturer. He said more than one hundred people attended and that Smith was merely one participant or guest.
Ekniti added that he only recognised Smith when media outlets published the image, estimating from the pandemic masks visible that it was “five to six years” old. Allegations of a political relationship were firmly dismissed by the minister.
He warned that politicians were constantly asked for photos at public events, often by people whose identities were entirely unknown to them. The minister appeared keen to underline his lack of any personal or professional link to the financier.
Widening fallout across government
As the debate in Bangkok intensified, reports began to mention Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow, the Kla Tham Party and parts of the education and agriculture ministries as having possible past contacts with Smith. No official proof was presented, but the potential implications for multiple ministries and parties were described as politically explosive.
Particular attention focused on Thanadol Suwannarit, an official in the Office of the Prime Minister, whose resignation was demanded by critics after the asset freeze.
“What does this have to do with me?”
said Thanadol Suwannarit, official in the Office of the Prime Minister.
He stated he had only provided Smith with legal advice years before the scandal became public and that all ties had long since been cut. Nonetheless, pressure on the wider government network continued to mount by the hour.
High-tech scam network and international links
In parallel, AMLO outlined what it described as a highly sophisticated scam operation that posed as an “Economic Crime Police” unit to intimidate victims. The network allegedly channelled large sums through digital platforms, leaving many people without their life savings.
Authorities remained uncertain about how the group obtained sensitive personal data from its targets. The investigation extended to Cambodia, Singapore and international financial structures, while Smith denied all wrongdoing and filed lawsuits against politicians who publicly accused him.
Unanswered questions and a looming test for the government
The contentious images stayed online, and the frozen funds remained under state control as the political storm grew. Anutin and Ekniti offered explanations, but the opposition continued to question their credibility.
Observers warned that the government was facing its toughest test since taking office, with core questions still unresolved. Whether the photograph would reshape Thailand’s political landscape or ultimately be seen as an unfortunate coincidence was set to determine if the country entered a prolonged power struggle or managed to move beyond the scandal.