PM Orders AMLO to Crack Down on Scammers

BANGKOK, Nov 3 (TNA) - Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to execute a decisive crackdown on scams and financial crime, acknowledging intense pressure and the risk of international sanctions otherwise.

The prime minister who also serves as the Minister of Interior, on Monday presided over a policy inspection meeting at the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). 

AMLO Chairman Chatchai Promlert reported that AMLO had seized/frozen assets worth over 29 billion baht and shut down more than 800,000 "mule accounts," with over 3 billion baht pending return to victims.

He emphasized that in overseeing AMLO, he had to admit he was under immense pressure regarding the handling of economic crime, particularly the issue of scammers.

"This is not merely an internal domestic issue. If we do not create confidence in suppressing wrongdoers who use Thailand as a base for money laundering, it will impact international trust in Thailand. This brings absolutely no good results and causes damage to the country,” he said. -819 (TNA)