The AEC believes that the project specifications were altered to favour a bidder, causing a Bt1.91 billion loss to the state. Those responsible include then transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the ministry's permanent-secretary Srisook Chandrangsu, New Bangkok International Airport Co president Somchai Somprasong, the committee examining the project's implementation and the committee setting the bidding reference price.

They would be charged with malfeasance, Sak said in his press briefing on the progress of the AEC's work.

However, since Suriya was a holder of a political office, Airports of Thailand and the Transport Ministry have to file complaints against him to the AEC before the case could proceed, Sak said.

The AEC subcommittee investigating irregularities in the Export-Import Bank of Thailand's credit line to Burma had found that the Finance Ministry had to bear the difference between the concessionary interest rate that the bank was charging Burma and its cost of funds. The bank said it was extending credit at soft terms because the project was official assistance for a neighbouring country.

However, the total money granted so far could not be identified as the projects in Burma were still ongoing while the money had already been paid to Thai operators close to politicians there, Sak said.

The subcommittee probing the two-and three-digit lotteries suspects irregularities for not collecting value-added tax on ticket sales of Bt200 billion and not collecting income tax from dealers.

Udom Fuangfung who heads the team looking into the purchase of land by Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of ousted prime minister Thaksin, said the subcommittee would proceed with the case without waiting for the Financial Institutions Development Fund, the seller of the land, to file complaints.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation