October 24, 2025 | 11:29 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thailand's Deputy Finance Minister, Vorapak Tanyawong, announced his resignation on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, just one month into his post. He stepped down to dedicate his time to addressing accusations linking him to a cross-country online scam network, particularly one operating out of Cambodia.
"To fight this legal battle, I need time and I am afraid it will interfere with my main role at the Ministry of Finance," he said in a press conference, as reported by CNA.
His resignation followed an instruction from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to submit a written explanation regarding the allegations.
Denial of Allegations
Speaking from the Ministry of Finance, Vorapak strongly refuted the accusations, referring to the claims linking him to illegal financial groups as slander and false information, the Bangkok Post reported.
"I have over 30 years of experience in banking and finance, both domestically and internationally. I have never sought political power. My only intention was to serve the country using my expertise," he said.
Vorapak specifically dismissed claims connecting him to Cambodia's BIC Group and BIC Bank. He stated: "Some are trying to link my name with BIC Group and BIC Bank, but I have never had any dealings with them. Whatever legal matters they face are entirely unrelated to me."
He acknowledged meeting Yim Leak, the Chair of BIC Group and a close associate of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but emphasized that he was never an advisor or executive for the company. He only later discovered his name and photo had been listed as an advisor on the company's website without his authorization.
Alleged Fund Flow and Connections
According to a report from Whale Hunting, the allegations suggest that Vorapak was named an advisor to BIC Bank, and his wife allegedly received a payment of US$3 million worth of cryptocurrency from a China-Cambodia criminal network. This network is a focal point in the cyber fraud case currently being investigated by the Thai government.
The same report noted Vorapak’s connection to Ben Smith or Benjamin Mauerberger, who is allegedly central to the illegal financial network in Cambodia and Thailand. Vorapak, however, explained that his relationship with Mauerberger was strictly limited to their roles as parents of students in the same school, not a business relationship.
Prior to his brief political tenure, Vorapak had a long career in the banking sector, including roles at Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase in Thailand.
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