Activist group says grey business crackdown falling short

Campaigners call for police to target corrupt public servants, demand resignation of under-fire MP ‘Idea’

A political activist group has urged national police chief Samran Nualma to step up efforts to crack down on grey businesses, scam gangs and online gambling — and on the public officials who turn a blind eye to illegality.

The Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) also called on Bhumjaithai Party MP Suchada “Idea” Zhang Thaensap to resign over unproven allegations linking her husband to an online gambling network.

Leader Pichit Chaimongkol and members of the group gathered at the Royal Thai Police Office on Wednesday to submit a petition to Pol Gen Samran.

Mr Pichit said Thailand had become increasingly vulnerable to grey businesses and illicit capital, reflecting what he described as inadequate law enforcement. He urged the new police chief to make the suppression of grey businesses, corrupt officials and politicians linked to unlawful activities a national priority.

Senior officials often begin their terms with strong commitments to law enforcement but their efforts tend to weaken over time, said Mr Pichit.

The group has also submitted a petition to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as head of the country’s national security agencies, calling for urgent action.

Pichit Chaimongkol, a leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, submits a petition to national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma via Pol Lt Col Sucharit Chothapthim, deputy superintendent of the police information division on Wednesday. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)

The NSPRT plans to continue its campaign nationwide, with a particular focus on Phuket, where it plans to promote public awareness against anti-Jewish sentiment, which he said could damage Thailand’s international reputation, said Mr Pichit.

The group also called on state agencies, including the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to work together to address the issue.

As well, Mr Pichit urged the government to reconsider its visa-free entry scheme for foreign visitors, arguing that the growing number of arrivals was placing additional burdens on security agencies and law enforcement authorities.

Authorities in September halved the visa-free stay for nationals of dozens of countries to 30 days, saying permission to stay for 60 days or longer was being abused by foreigners engaged in illegal activities.

MP’s explanations ‘insufficient’

Turning to the controversy surrounding Ms Suchada, Mr Pichit said the recent public explanations she and her husband provided about his business activities were insufficient.

As a government MP whose party has pledged to crack down on scam networks and influential figures, Ms Suchada should take political responsibility by resigning rather than waiting for the legal process to run its course, said Mr Pichit.

Ms Suchada and her husband, Australian entrepreneur Zhang Taiyang, met DSI investigators on Tuesday to provide information about his shareholding in the online gambling website Shuffle.com.

The investigation was launched in response to suspicions that Mr Zhang might be linked to a scam networks and online gambling operations through his shareholding in Shuffle.com, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency-only betting websites.

Mr Pichit also questioned whether newly appointed DSI chief Pol Col Piya Raksakul would conduct investigations impartially and independently of political influence.

In addition to the case involving Ms Suchada, other high-profile investigations with potential to do serious harm to the governing Bhumjaithai Party include the Khao Kradong land dispute in Buri Ram and alleged Senate election collusion case.

Critics of the government have expressed concern about the appointment of Pol Col Piya to head the DSI. They point to the fact that he headed an Election Commission committee that recommended no charges be brought in the Senate election collusion case.