Their lawyer Weerapat Srichaiya submitted the statements for Khun-ying Pojaman Shinawatra and her brother Bhanapot Damapong, as well as her secretary Kanjanapa Honghern, Wanchai Honghern and Pojaman's assistant Pranee Wetcha-pruekpitak.

The AEC had earlier informed the six people of the charges and given them 15 days to defend themselves in person or through documents.

However, Weerapat said Shina-watra family maid Duangta Wong-pakdi was abroad and still had some time before the 15-day deadline.

She is expected to submit her defence statement on Monday, he said.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaeng-ruang said that if the accused did not defend themselves within 15 days they could be considered to have given up the right to do so.

Meanwhile, AEC member Khun-ying Jaruvan Maintaka said General Chaisit Shinawatra, Thaksin's brother, had contacted her saying he would accompany Thaksin's daughter Pinthongta when she testified to the AEC on Wednesday.

Jaruvan said it was Chaisit's right to accompany his niece but he would not be allowed into the investigation room.

It was a rule that all AEC members agreed on, she said.

The AEC has summoned Thak-sin's son Panthongtae, Pinthongta and Kanjanapa to testify about the tax-free sale of Shin Corp shares to Singapore's Temasek Holdings. The AEC said they were liable for punishment if they failed to do so.

Pinthongta asked that her appearance be deferred from last month to Wednesday as she had been sitting exams in London and was unavailable until then.

Panthongtae testified to the AEC last Wednesday and Kanjanapa

last Friday. Both went into the

room alone.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation