Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjittha said: "When requested, the DSI can provide a protection team for witnesses."

He was speaking after the DSI board convened a meeting and passed a resolution to investigate six cases under the Special Investigation Act.

The first case was the death of nine-year-old Chakraphan Srisa-ard during a police sting in Bangkok and the disappearance of his mother, Pornwipa Kerdrungruang, right after that.

On February 23, 2003, Pornwipa and Chakraphan were in a car when the boy's father got out to deliver illicit drugs to an undercover police officer. After seeing police at the scene, Pornwipa tried to flee in the car.

Police allegedly riddled the car with bullets, one of which killed her son Chakraphan instantly. Pornwipa fled the scene and has never been seen since.

The second case related to the deaths of Nikom Ounkaew and his wife Kanya. The couple from Nakhon Ratchasima won Bt6 million in a government lottery but did not tell anybody about their win. Neighbours were reportedly suspicious about their sudden wealth and suspected they dealt in drugs. On March 28, 2003, both were shot dead in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The third case relates to the death of Samarn Thongdee, who was gunned down on April 9, 2003 in Tak. Samarn had no record of being involved in drugs or crime, but on his death some illicit drugs were suspiciously found in his pocket.

The fourth case was the fatal shooting of a couple in Tak on May 18, 2003. Pongthep and Ampaipan Rookongprasert also had a clean record, but illicit drugs were found in the sole of Ampaipan's high-heeled shoes at the scene of her death.

"Another case that DSI is going to investigate is the shooting of Fakruddin Boto," Justice Minister Charnchai said.

Caretaker senator Fakruddin was seriously hurt in a drive-by shooting in Narathiwat's Ra-ngae district on August 6.

"There has been no progress in this case after an investigation suggested that the suspects were military officers," Charnchai said.

He said the sixth case related

to a complaint filed by

the Securities and Exchange Com-mission against Power P Plc for alleged stock manipulation.

Charnchai said the DSI would consider more cases of deaths during the notorious "war on drugs" if the families of the victims were prepared to come forward.

Meanwhile, Charnchai has consulted the Narcotics Control Board about returning the assets of Samarn and Nikom and Kanya Ounkaew to their relatives. The assets were seized after drug allegations were made.

"As for the Rookongpraserts, we have set up a panel to probe the origin of their assets. When evidence clearly confirms their assets did not come from illicit deals, they will be returned to their relatives," Charnchai said.