Sarinee Achavanuntakul Clarifies Allegations Against Former Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong

Key summary

Sarinee Achavanuntakul issued a statement of clarification and apology to former Thai Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong and his wife, asserting that facts have not established three serious allegations against them. The first allegation concerns involvement in transnational criminal networks; the statement notes that as of November 3, 2026, facts did not establish that Vorapak participated in, supported, or facilitated such networks, fraud, or money laundering. It further clarifies that knowing someone or having a social relationship with them does not justify concluding participation in wrongdoing. The second allegation involves nominee ownership of the Finansia investment through Pilgrim Finansa Investment Holding Pte. Ltd. (PFIH); the statement says facts have not established such an arrangement and notes that using a company to invest or borrowing money to purchase shares does not prove nominee ownership or hidden control. The third allegation concerns receipt of a cryptocurrency bribe or improper benefit through his wife; this stems from Sarinee's republication of an article by Tom Wright regarding investment transactions involving Vorapak's wife. The statement says facts have not established that any such bribe or improper benefit was received and that Sarinee will remove posts concerning this issue, asking readers not to use her previous publications as confirmation of the allegations. Sources for the clarification include Sarinee Achavanuntakul's statement and information supplied by Vorapak.