Picture courtesy of Khaosod English

 

A South African businessman is taking legal action against a Thai MP for defamation after being accused in parliament of being a major scammer. Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, has authorised his Thai representative, Thanadol Suwannarit, to file the charges against MP Rangsiman Rome of Thailand's People's Party. The lawsuit, filed on October 6, seeks criminal defamation charges and 100 million baht in civil damages.

 

In a recent parliamentary speech, Rangsiman Rome cited allegations from Tom Wright, purported co-founder of ProjectBrazen media, accusing Mauerberger of involvement in scams and human trafficking linked to high-profile Thai and Cambodian politicians. Suspicious photographs with prominent figures, including Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, were also presented. Mauerberger has dismissed these claims as baseless fabrications, stating they are part of a smear campaign by Wright.

 

The defamation charges stem from over 130 allegedly defamatory posts published by Wright on Project Brazen and Whale Hunting platforms. Mauerberger vehemently denies involvement in Cambodian money laundering, call-centre scams, or human trafficking. An earlier case in New Zealand was purportedly dismissed by authorities as non-criminal, reinforcing his clean record.

 

Minister Thammanat has also announced plans to sue Rangsiman, criticising the information presented as unfounded and damaging to his reputation. Rangsiman, however, clarified that he did not accuse Thammanat directly but will invite him to discuss the matter in a committee meeting he chairs.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• South African businessman Benjamin Mauerberger sues Thai MP Rangsiman Rome for defamation.
• Allegations include ties to scam operations and human trafficking, which Mauerberger denies.
• Minister Thammanat also plans legal action over the unfounded accusations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod English 2025-10-06

 

 

With the coming elections all has to be done to prevent that The People's Party will win these... As much as possible negative news must be aired... It only doesn't work.. and Thailand should stop constantly using the defamation threads.. Critics are needed and are a part of the freedom of speech in a democracy.. And with the pics as proof it is almost certain there is something wrong and what has a South African businessman to do with Thamanat and Thaksin, who don't have a white soul too

Defamation laws seem to be holding Thailand back 

16 hours ago, chawbdurian said:

Defamation laws seem to be holding Thailand back 

Defamation laws are fine if proved to be correctly brought against someone.

When mis-used to stifle free speech then the perpetrators should suffer severe penalties.

Thailand needs parliamentary privilege, as there is in the UK. Without that, they'll be stuck in an endless cycle of petty law suits holding them back from any meaningful progress.

MP Rangsiman Rome was sued for ฿100 million in defamation damages after alleging in Parliament that businessman Benjamin Mauerberger A was linked to scam operations.

•  The lawsuit was accepted by the Criminal Court, with a hearing scheduled.

•  Crucially, the plaintiff argued that Rome’s comments were made in a non-confidential session, meaning no legal amnesty applies.

 

 

This guy could be in trouble!!!

The U.S. government is actively investigating the South African fraudster at the heart of our $1.5 billion money laundering investigation — for his role in the "pig butchering" scams that steal Americans' life savings.

 

https://whalehunting.projectbrazen.com/exclusive-homeland-security-investigating-south-african-fraudster-behind-1-5b-crime-network-that-bleeds-americans-dry/

No mention of libel or slander I notice.

Defamation without these indicates guilt in my mind.

The South African is a private individual, the MP deserves to be ruined if he can not substantiate his claims.

If there's smoke, there's usually fire. 😎

On 10/6/2025 at 4:19 PM, chawbdurian said:

Defamation laws seem to be holding Thailand back 

Not in the head.

On 10/6/2025 at 10:19 AM, chawbdurian said:

Defamation laws seem to be holding Thailand back 

 

Good!

South African businessman, Elon Musk?  Say no more.