Forensic scientist Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand and deputy permanent secretary for Justice Manit Suthaphorn after making accusations against Justice Ministry executives.

The doctor called on acting ministry permanent secretary Jaral Phakdeethanakul to probe the "murky management style" allegedly practised under a former permanent secretary.

She claimed the ministry had effectively been run by a woman she dubbed as "shadow permanent secretary" while it was under the administration of two of Jaral's predecessors.

Pornthip claimed bidding for information-technology projects had been rigged while purchase plans for the Corrections Department were "questionable".

"Transfers of ministry officials have been made unfairly and many of those subject to corruption and malfeasance allegations have never been investigated," she alleged.

Countering allegations against herself over spending irregularities, Pornthip admitted Bt200,000 had been transferred to her from Department of Special Investigation (DSI) "secret coffers". The money had been returned. The cash had been for emergency travel expenses for herself and deputy permanent secretary Manit Suthaphorn while on a ministry trip to the United States.

Pornthip said the cash was required because more people travelled on the US trip than were originally budgeted for.

The doctor was surprised the DSI staff member who transferred the money was not being probed.

She and Manit were this past week made the subject of a disciplinary investigation.

She admitted failing to follow ministry rules covering fund raising during post-tsunami efforts because she had been unaware of the regulations, adding Bt2 million donated for victims remained in a bank account.

Jaral said the Pornthip and Manit investigation was sensitive and refused to say if the pair would be suspended pending the probe.