Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his dual capacity as the interior minister, has signed an order revoking the Thai citizenship of Chinese-Cambodian tycoon Lee Yong Phat, reputed to be the ‘godfather of Koh Kong’ in Cambodia.
The order cited information from the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry, showing that Lee Yong Phat, who is known in Thai as ‘Phat Suphapa’, still retains his Cambodian nationality, even although he was granted Thai citizenship through naturalisation.
The information also implicated Lee of involvement with scam networks in Cambodia. He was also sanctioned and had his assets confiscated by the United States for his involvement in human trafficking and cyber scam operations in Cambodia.
As such, the order said that Lee’s conduct poses a threat to Thai national security, public peace and order and good morals, in accordance with the Thai Nationality Act, adding that, if he was allowed to use Thai citizenship, serious damage could be caused to the Thai public.
Earlier, Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the police inspector-general, said that the Cybercrime Investigation Bureau had launched a probe into Lee’s business operations and did not find evidence to implicate him of involvement in unlawful activities.
Lee is closely connected with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen.
