Former deputy commerce minister Preecha Laohapongchana, appointed the investigative committee, which was led by deputy permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach.

Commerce Ministry permanent secretary Karun Kittisataporn said the ministry was considering passing the investigation findings of the Business Development Department to police. He made his remarks after reporting to the Administrative Reform Council.

"The Administrative Reform Council did not ask what the results of the investigation case were. However, the ministry will consider putting all investigations on the right track," he said.

The ministry will today call a meeting of all related investigative committees to discuss the case.

Yanyong said the team would discuss with the permanent secretary how to manage the case.

The team will suspend their investigation until the appointment of a new civilian government and appropriate instructions to continue the case, he said.

Meanwhile, Karun said that the coup would not destroy the Kingdom's image since no violence occurred.

"This is the softest coup [yet], with less violence than corrupt activities," said Karun.

He said that the coup would not affect the country's trading systems.

An article by Associated Press reported that Temasek was watching developments after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted and that it was premature to worry about any impact on its purchase of Shin Corp.

"It's a matter for the Thai people to resolve," said Myrna Thomas, Temasek Holding's managing director for corporate affairs.

The nominee probe was launched into the takeover of Shin Corp to investigate if laws governing foreign ownership of companies were breached.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation