tài guó泰国hé和jiǎn pǔ zhài柬埔寨zhà piàn诈骗àn案bào guāng曝光zhě者bèi kòng被控fěi bàng诽谤
Recently, an opposition party member in Thailand and an investigative news media were accused of defamation for exposing a transnational scam network involving Thailand and Cambodia.
The media reported that a South African businessman was suspected of participating in a $1.5 billion money laundering operation and had connections with some influential people in Thailand.
The lawmaker cited these reports in parliament, warning that Thailand could become a hotbed for "dirty money."
He also called for urgent action to prevent more people from being victimized.
The accused businessman denied all allegations and filed lawsuits against the media and the lawmaker.
The legal advisor to Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister was also involved in the case and warned journalists not to spread false information.
There are concerns that these defamation charges might be used to silence critics.
Many believe that these scam allegations should be seriously investigated rather than using the law to threaten journalists.