The group alleges that Thaksin, his Cabinet, the finance and industry ministers, the Treasury Department, the Industrial Works Department and the Finance and Industry ministries unlawfully sold 42.4 hectares of state land to another liquor manufacturer, Sura Bangyikhan Co Ltd. They further allege that the sale led to Sura Maharas ending its operations and laying them off. Sura Maharas held a concession to operate Sura Bangyikhan. The group is claiming Bt222 million, with interest, in compensation for their loss of income since being laid off in December 1999. - The Nation.

Prapat to join Chat Thai

Prapat Panyachatraksa, chairman of the Farmers' Debt Rehabilitation and Development Fund, will resign to join the Chat Thai Party, a source said yesterday. Prapat said he would publicly discuss his final achievements as chairman when he resigns.

Prapat, known as "Kan Yao", was a student activist during the pro-democracy uprising in October 1973. He resigned as a Thai Rak Thai Party member early this year after growing opposition to caretaker the PM culminated in street protests. He served as deputy agriculture minister and natural resources and environment minister under Thai Rak Thai. - The Nation.

Panel to go after Rakesh assets

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) was instructed yesterday to form a working committee to seize the overseas assets of Rakesh Saxena, former adviser to the defunct Bangkok Bank of Commerce, who has been accused of embezzlement.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said after a meeting with AMLO officials that following the successful freezing of Saxena's assets in Britain, the next target is to trail his assets in Canada.

AMLO has also been instructed to gather information from those countries about where Thai criminals usually stash their ill-gotten gains or hide from Thai police. - The Nation.