The committee also decided to draft regulations in support of actions by the AEC to be announced in the Royal Gazette tomorrow. AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said that once the sub-committees and the AEC found grounds in any corruption allegation, the AEC would press charges against suspects involved.

AEC member Kaewsan Atibothi said evidence on at least one of the eight allegations was destroyed after the media disseminated reports about them. He said he had received telephone threats for his role in the AEC and stepped up security measures by having a driver and employing security guards to protect himself.

Documents kept at the AEC are strictly protected and cannot be taken out by anyone, even the AEC members, he said. "I have been sharing the information I have with other AEC members.''

He said the AEC has been receiving information from the public regarding the eight corruption allegations. The committee is also fully empowered to seek information from companies and contract partners.

Kaewsan stressed the AEC needs to come up with results within three months because the wind of change may blow over the political sector and it may be harder to probe the corruption allegations.  

The AEC will stick to the rule of law in probing the allegations to prevent public opposition.

"If Thaksin supporters feel that the AEC intentionally finds fault with members of Thaksin's Cabinet, they may instigate protests against us,'' he said.

A source said Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Bunyaratgalin said the CNS was keeping a close watch on two groups: Wat Dhammakaya and former MPs from the Thai Rak Thai Party who are planning to move against impounding the assets of ministers in Thaksin's administration.

The source said the two groups are mobilising grass roots people to protest against any AEC action.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation