The Bt73-billion tax-free sale of Shin Corp by the premier's family to a Singaporean company was the clearest example of "policy corruption" taking place in this country, said Assoc Professor Piphop Udorn of Thammasat University's Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy.

 Piphop was one of the "expert witnesses" testifying on the first day of a mock trial of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Thammasat University yesterday.

 "Even if he has a little conscience left, he should know what he should do right this moment," said Piphop, referring to calls from many quarters for Thaksin to quit over accusations of corruption, tax evasion and abuse of power.

 The mock trial, presided over by two senior lawyers from the Law Society of Thailand, was staged to determine whether accusations against the premier could be considered valid in a court of law.

Its organisers are law lecturers and members of the law society. They decided to hold the mock trial because the Constitutional Court had earlier thrown out the case.

 Piphop accused Thaksin of ruining the judiciary through various means. He also accused Thaksin of failing to abide by the decent level of morality and ethical behaviour expected of a prime minister.

"He should be a role model for good ethics, having a higher standard than ordinary citizens. Don't cite the law [and say the tax-free sale was legal], because it is not justifiable."

 The accountancy lecturer told an audience of 500 at a campus auditorium that he found the sale of Shin Corp and the role played by Ample Rich, a firm originally owned by the premier and registered in the tax haven British Virgin Islands, a dubious affair.

 Another "expert witness", Chairat Saeng-arun, a member of the human-rights committee of the Law Society of Thailand, told the mock event the tax-free sale went beyond tax evasion.

"It's not about tax evasion but tax cheating," said Chairat. He accused Thaksin of having a conflict of interest because he was a businessman as well as a politician.

 When a politician finds he has a conflict of interest, Chairat said, it is clear what action he must take. He need not consult the Constitution.

 Prasong Lertrattanawisut, one of the three "witnesses" at the proceedings, said evidence showed many of the transactions were in fact signed by a secretary who worked for Thaksin's wife.

He alleged that this proves Thaksin's children were never the real owners of Shin Corp and Ample Rich, thus Thaksin, was conducting business while holding office.

 The mock trial continues tomorrow and is scheduled to end on Friday.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation