PUBLISHED : 22 Jan 2026 at 07:01

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Wednesday urged Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob to disclose the names of all politicians allegedly linked to scam networks and online gambling operations.

PPRP deputy spokesman Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai said the issue was drawing strong public attention, and so the DES minister should reveal their names to meet public demand and keep these individuals out of the political sphere. His call followed Mr Chaichanok’s comment that the investigation into 10 politicians with links to illegal activities was underway and that their identities would be revealed in due course.

Pol Lt Gen Piya also called on the DES minister to clarify details surrounding a controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024 between the DES Ministry and a Singapore-based company with alleged links to controversial foreign businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as "Ben Smith".

The MoU was terminated by Mr Chaichanok after irregularities were found.

Pol Lt Gen Piya raised a series of questions including whether the MoU involved online sports gambling or "Sport Rating Online Gaming" and whether such activities would violate the anti-gambling law.

He also asked whether the agreement, under which the Thailand International Digital Business and Finance Center was established, operated as a "Digital Economy Regulatory Sandbox" that exempted certain laws.

In response, Mr Chaichanok said the individuals under investigation were not confined to one political party and were not limited to election candidates.

He said the names could not yet be disclosed until the review of evidence is completed.