Thanadon Resigns From Ben Smith’s Legal Case, After Being Appointed as Political at the Prime Minister’s Office

Thanadon Suwannarit has officially withdrawn from representing Ben Smith in ongoing legal proceedings after being appointed as a political official under the Secretariat of the Prime Minister. His appointment, approved by the Cabinet on November 4, 2025, took effect immediately. The following day, on November 5, Thanadon announced his resignation as Smith’s legal advisor, citing a desire to respect his new public role and prevent any potential conflict of interest.

Speaking to the media, Thanadon explained that the decision came amid growing public scrutiny over his dual role as both a government legal advisor and Smith’s attorney. “Public confidence matters most. I’ve listened to the voices of the people,” he said, adding that he had already coordinated with his legal team to hand over Smith’s case to a new group of lawyers.

Thanadon stated that his previous work as Smith’s representative was carried out with integrity and in full compliance with professional ethics. “Every action has been within the framework of the law,” he noted. The former advisor also expressed gratitude toward Captain Thammanat Prompao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for his support, writing on Facebook that he would “continue to work diligently for the people.”

Thanadon’s appointment has drawn attention because of his previous involvement in Smith’s lawsuits against several individuals, including Sarinee Achavanuntakul, who has publicly questioned the transparency of the so-called “broker saga.” Responding to the criticism, Thanadon said, “Being scrutinized is a good thing. If we do right, we’ll be praised; if we do wrong, we must accept it.”

Regarding his new position, Thanadon said he plans to focus on improving agricultural law, particularly those related to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO). He aims to modernize the legislation, first enacted in 1975, to better address challenges faced by farmers and curb land exploitation by private investors.

He is official previously worked at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for nearly three years and said he hopes to return to contribute legally driven reforms. “My goal is to make agricultural laws fair and practical so that farmers can truly benefit,” he emphasized.

When asked about the appointment, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Minister of Interior, said the selection of Thanadon was within the rights of coalition partners and was not discussed with Thammanat beforehand. “The government separates personal matters from official duties,” Anutin said, adding that every political party has its own “lightning rod” figure within the coalition.

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