Sarinee Apologises to Vorapak and Wife, Says Facts Have Not Established Key Allegations
Clarification addresses criminal-network and nominee claims, and asks readers not to treat earlier posts as confirmation of bribery
BANGKOK - Sarinee Achavanuntakul’s statement of clarification and apology to former Thai Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong and his wife says the facts have not established three serious allegations concerning him: involvement in transnational criminal networks, nominee ownership of the Finansia investment, and receipt of a cryptocurrency bribe or improper benefit through his wife.
The statement addresses how her earlier Facebook publications may have led readers to understand that these allegations were established facts. It includes an apology for the reputational damage that may have resulted to Vorapak and his wife.
On the allegation of criminal involvement, the statement says that, as of 3 November 2026, the facts had not established that Vorapak participated in, supported or facilitated transnational criminal networks, fraud or money laundering.
It expressly recognises that knowing someone or having a social relationship with that person does not justify concluding that one also participated in wrongdoing.
The clarification also addresses allegations that Vorapak acted as a nominee or front for another person in the Finansia investment through Pilgrim Finansa Investment Holding Pte. Ltd. (PFIH). It says the facts had not established such an arrangement.
The statement further recognises that using a company to invest and borrowing money to purchase shares do not, in themselves, prove nominee ownership or hidden control.
On the cryptocurrency allegation, Sarinee refers specifically to her republication of an article by Tom Wright concerning investment transactions involving Vorapak’s wife. The statement acknowledges that this could have led readers to believe that Vorapak received a bribe or improper benefit through his wife.
The clarification says the facts had not established the receipt of any such bribe or improper benefit. Sarinee states that she will remove the posts concerning that issue and expressly asks readers not to use her previous publications as confirmation that Vorapak or his wife received a bribe or improper benefit.
According to Vorapak, much of the material Sarinee disseminated concerning these matters originated in articles by Wright. The clarification itself specifically identifies Wright’s article in connection with the allegations involving Vorapak’s wife.
For Vorapak and his family, the clarification represents an important step towards correcting the public record and repairing their reputation. Its central message is that the allegations addressed in the statement should not be treated as established facts.
The statement is a clarification and apology by Sarinee; it is not a judicial determination of the underlying allegations.
Sources: Sarinee Achavanuntakul’s clarification concerning Vorapak Tanyawong and his wife; information supplied by Vorapak.
