Rangsiman Rome Defiant as Call Centre Gang Lawsuit Shakes Thai Politics
A high-profile Thai MP faces a staggering 100 million baht lawsuit after accusing financier Ben Smith of masterminding call centre scams. The case ignites fierce debate over organised crime and political power in Thailand.
Lawsuit Accepted: Court Dates Set in High-Stakes Defamation Row
The Bangkok court accepts both criminal and civil suits against Rangsiman Rome, a People’s Party MP and security committee chair. Smith, also known as Benjamin Mauerberger, claims Rome’s parliamentary comments on 30 September branded him a fraudster and damaged his reputation.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 24 November, with a civil conciliation set for 15 December. Both parties are expected to present evidence and witnesses.
Rangsiman Rome: “The Real Threat Is Organised Crime”
Unfazed by the lawsuit, Rangsiman insists the real danger is not legal action but criminal gangs tightening their grip on Thailand. “If we don’t act now, we’ll wake up to find the country run by crooks in suits,” he warns.
He pledges to fight the case in court and continue exposing the influence of transnational call centre gangs. “This isn’t about me. It’s about stopping criminal gangs before they embed themselves deeper in our institutions,” Rangsiman tells reporters in Sisaket.
Call Centre Gangs: A National Security Crisis
Rangsiman claims call centre gangs are no longer just a crime problem—they threaten national security. He alleges these groups have moved beyond scamming the public, forging ties with powerful figures and gaining access to state power.
“These people aren’t just cybercriminals hiding behind screens. They’re connected, funded, and protected. Mr. Benjamin is just one example,” he says.
Rangsiman previously accused Smith of running a fraud and money laundering network linked to Cambodia. He cites Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) information suggesting Smith was accused in 2021 of involvement in unlicensed investment schemes.
Ben Smith’s Lawyer: “No Arrest Warrants, All Claims False”
Smith’s lawyer, Thanadon Suwannarit, files both criminal and civil suits seeking over 100 million baht in damages. He insists Smith faces no arrest warrants in Thailand or abroad and remains in the country, contrary to Rangsiman’s claims.
Thanadon challenges Rangsiman to submit evidence to authorities if he has any. He also presents documents showing the SEC case involved a different person with a similar name.
He stresses the lawsuits are not meant to silence Rangsiman and that he acts solely as Smith’s legal counsel, not as an associate of Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat Prompow.
Who Is Ben Smith? Businessman With Cambodian Ties
Thanadon confirms Smith previously advised the Cambodian government, though he received no payment. Smith now holds Cambodian citizenship and runs businesses in real estate, aircraft brokerage, and yacht sales across Thailand, Singapore, and beyond.
His business dealings have brought him into contact with several Thai politicians.
Political Tensions: Thammanat’s Lawyer on the Case
Rangsiman questions why Smith’s legal team is led by Thanadon, who has close ties to Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat Prompow. “It’s strange. Thammanat and I have worked together politically, yet his people are now helping sue me,” Rangsiman notes.
Thanadon says Rangsiman’s remarks about Thammanat were only questions, not direct accusations, so no personal lawsuit was filed. Thammanat is expected to address the issue before the national security committee on 9 December.
Call Centre Scams: Growing Threat to Thai Society
Rangsiman urges the public not to lose sight of the bigger issue. He warns that while lawsuits make headlines, the real danger is the silence surrounding how these gangs operate in the shadows.
Call centre scams in Thailand have become more sophisticated, using fake financial offers, impersonating police, and forging documents. Victims lose millions, and Rangsiman believes official protection allows these operations to expand.
“Every day we delay, more people fall victim. Behind every scam is a system of corruption and complicity,” he says, stressing that Thailand is increasingly used as a base for attacks at home and abroad.
“100 Million Baht? That Says More About Them Than Me”
Despite the 100 million baht claim, Rangsiman says he is undeterred. “100 million baht? For telling the truth? That says more about them than about me,” he remarks.
He questions whether the lawsuit is truly about reputation or an attempt to silence criticism and protect something bigger. Rangsiman pledges to respect the court process but will continue his investigations.
“I won’t back down. They can sue me, threaten me, but I won’t stop fighting for this country,” he declares. He warns Thailand faces a crossroads: act now against organised crime, or risk these networks embedding themselves in the nation’s power structures.
