Corrections Department director-general Nathee Chitsawang said Dr Pornthip mentioned corruption scandals in his department on Monday because he was part of a new committee handling a disciplinary investigation into her own alleged wrongdoings.

Nathee said four investigation panels had found Pornthip and Manit Suthaphorn, deputy permanent secretary, guilty of spending money they were not entitled to.

"Dr Pornthip's mention of corruption within the Corrections Department is meant to divert the attention now surrounding herself," said Nathee, responding to her statement linking three Justice  departments with graft scandals.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general  Sombat Amornwiwat said his approval for Bt200,000 earmarked as travel expenses for Pornthip for a US trip was not illegal because a DSI officer who acquired the money from a DSI secret coffer did not tell him why the money was needed.

Information Technology Centre director Wichayuth Chongpayuha said bidding procedures and purchases of equipment in relation to his department were transparent and he welcomed examination of them all.

He claimed bidding procedures and purchases of equipment for Pornthip's own Central Institute of Forensic Science were questionable and violated many bidding regulations. One project was in breach of 60 conditions under the rules, he added.