A senior Finance Ministry official yesterday confirmed the authenticity of a letter purportedly issued by the Revenue Department stating that Bhanapot Damapong, brother-in-law of deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra, was exempted from paying taxes after obtaining a large number of shares as a gift from Thaksin's wife.

Inspector-general Benja Luicharoen told the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) that the document was genuine, said Viroj Laohaphan, head of the AEC subcommittee investigating the matter.

Viroj said Benja had also signed her name to the Revenue Department letter, to confirm it was genuine.

Bhanapot is the brother of Thaksin's wife, Pojaman.

The letter was signed by Benja on behalf of the director-general. However, Viroj said the panel did not ask her whether she had been instructed to sign it by any of her superiors.

Viroj said officials involved with the letter would be asked to appear before the panel tomorrow to confirm in writing that the letter was genuine.

On Monday, the AEC ruled that Bhanapot must pay Bt546 million in back taxes and a fine for the Bt738 million worth of shares he bought in 1997 from Duangta Wongphakdi, a domestic helper working for the Thaksin family.

Bhanapot bought 4.5 million Shin Corp shares from Duangta through the stock exchange, but Pojaman paid the money, as well as the 1-per-cent transaction fee on his behalf.

The AEC also resolved on Monday to make a written request to the Revenue Department that it demand the additional taxes and the fine from Bhanapot.

Viroj said yesterday that he expected the AEC to send the letter, along with evidence and related documents, to the Revenue Department by today. The agency must take action on the matter within 30 days.

In addition to Benja, Moreerat Boonyasiri, director of the Finance Ministry's Legal Division, also testified before the AEC yesterday in regard to laws governing share transactions.

The two women refused to speak with reporters about

their meeting with the AEC investigators.

Budsarakham

Sinlapalavan

The Nation