Land deal: State bodies 'must act'
Investigators have told government bodies that lost out in a controversial land deal involving deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra's wife Pojaman, to give evidence or face possible legal action.
Assets Examination Committee (AEC) chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday urged the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Financial Sector Restructuring Authority (FRA) to file a complaint over Pojaman's land purchase. He said that according to the Counter Corruption Act, the AEC might be forced to drop the case if no state agency filed a complaint. The Act states the AEC, which holds authority under the law, cannot proceed with a case unless an affected party files a complaint. However, the AEC will contact the government if no agency files a complaint, to inquire if the concerned bodies could charged with negligence, he said. Meanwhile, the subcommittee working on the case led by Udom Fuangfoong yesterday questioned BOT and FRA representatives. He said the AEC had made much progress in the case involving Pojaman's purchase of land in Ratchadapisek. Although Thaksin's written permission as a spouse, allowing Pojaman to enter into the land deal, could be used as evidence in the case, the panel still needed further proof. Nam yesterday said the AEC had asked government officials, mostly police officers from the Election Commission, to help in its investigation of the 12 cases it was working on.
Bancha Khaengkhan The Nation
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