Rangsiman Rome. Picture courtesy of Naewna

Thailand's Criminal Court has accepted a defamation case filed by Ben Smith against Rangsiman Rome following parliamentary remarks that were publicly shared. The case, set for trial on 23 February, stems from Rome's allegations made during a House of Representatives meeting accusing Smith of links to a scam network, damaging Smith’s reputation. Smith's lawyer, Witoon Kengngan, released a video confirming the court’s decision, highlighting that the present is not a baseless case.

The controversy began when Rangsiman Rome of the People’s Party described Smith as part of a "mammoth-level scammer" network during a parliamentary speech. These unfounded claims deeply affected Smith, a businessman of South African-Cambodian descent. Acting swiftly, Smith’s legal team gathered evidence and brought the defamation case to the Criminal Court, believing Rome’s statements were not made in good faith but were false accusations.

The court, after reviewing the complaint and relevant evidence, determined the case has sufficient merit to move forward to trial. This decision resonates with Smith’s stance that the accusations were damaging and without factual basis. Witoon has urged politicians to refrain from using Smith's name in political arguments to avoid further harm. He stressed that the court would take legal action against any further defamatory remarks.

The court's acceptance suggests that Rome's public remarks could have misled the general public into believing Smith was involved in unlawful activities, such as money laundering. The court considered physical evidence and documents shared on social media significant in its decision. These allegations have unintentionally brought Smith, who is not politically affiliated, into the political sphere, reported The Nation.

Key Takeaways

• Criminal Court accepts Smith’s defamation case against Rome.

• Allegations linked Smith to a scam network, harming his reputation.

• Trial date set for 23 February, with the court finding merit in Smith’s complaint.

Related Story:

South African Businessman Sues Thai MP for Defamation

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2026-01-13

 

 

Defamation is the new section 112... It can be used for any critics which are normal in a democracy... but people need freedom of speech and in Thailand defamation is used for everything.. if it is negative reviews, cases like this, as people are being protected by higher ranked ones. The law should be reviewed and only serious cases and not to get rid of political opponents... Thailand really needs reforms and enter the 21st century.

Thailand MUST amend it's defamation laws whereby it's ONLY defamation if it can be proved that the statement/accusation made is NOT true, not just because it damages someone's reputation. A statement about a person or institution (e.g. Big Joke & RTP) if proven to be true, still damages the reputation BUT it's NOT defamation.

No protection for members of Parliament? (making comments under what - in any democracy - would be considered Parliamentary privilege)

All very interesting, but who on earth are these two?

9 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

All very interesting, but who on earth are these two?

Read the OP!

22 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Read the OP!

I did and still don't know their apparent claim to fame. Who are they?

Ben Smith?

What am I missing.

Educate me.

10 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

I did and still don't know their apparent claim to fame. Who are they?

Ben Smith?

What am I missing.

Educate me.

Ben Smith is a wealthy farang businessman who speaks fluent Thai and is married to his Isaan Soi 6 sweetheart. They are rich, man.

42 minutes ago, MarcelV said:

Ben Smith is a wealthy farang businessman who speaks fluent Thai and is married to his Isaan Soi 6 sweetheart. They are rich, man.

Ah ok, thank you. I have no idea who he was.

Seems he might speak Thai too much.

54 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

What am I missing.

Educate me.

The ability to use the resources available to you to educate yourself!

4 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

The ability to use the resources available to you to educate yourself!

Not that interested to tell you the truth. Asked my Mrs who is Thai and she had no idea either. But thanks for the pointer. Don't think I'll bother educating myself about some obscure Thai non entities.

Just now, emptypockets said:

Not that interested to tell you the truth. Asked my Mrs who is Thai and she had no idea either. But thanks for the pointer. Don't think I'll bother educating myself about some obscure Thai non entities.

Then why comment on the OP in the first place and then respond?

10 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Then why comment on the OP in the first place and then respond?

I asked a simple question. Why so much aggression?

Looking forward to this. Smith, or Mauerberger to be precise, has been involved with many high powered figures in Cambodia, Thailand and beyond which have raised concerns about his shady business dealings being legit. Maybe he’s assuming his “friends” are going to ensure to help him out. Personally I’d like to see him put through the wringer and his potential criminal activities exposed.

And Rangsiman is one of the very few honest legislators.