Postponement on Shinawatra's kids' testifying date urged
The lawyer representing children of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asked the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to postpone the date for their testimony from Wednesday to next month.
According to the letter sent from lawyer Weerapat Srichaiya, Panthongtae will be travelling to Japan on Wednesday while Pinthongta is currently taking college examination in London, England. Weerapat has asked the AEC to allow the eldest son of Thaksin to testify on January 10, and Pinthongta on January 24. He is asking the court to reschedule her testimony for January 12.
The lawyer also represents Khunying Potjaman's secretary Kanchanapha Honghern who is planning to travel out of the country on a business trip.
It was not clear if the last minute request for the changing of the trial date was part of a tactical move by the defendents' legal team.
Meanwhile Viroj Laohaphan, the head of the AEC subcommittee for probing the Shin Corp share case, said the reasons for postponement will have to be considered in detail Wednesday.
If the reasons are justifiable, then the date will have to be delayed. In addition, the AEC will do it best to speed up the investigation process while maintaining the impartiality of the case, Sak Korsaengreung, spokesman of the AEC has said last week.
The three could face legal charges if they failed to show up for the hearing, Sak said.
The Nation
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