Udom Fuangfoong, chairman of the AEC subcommittee investigating the land deal, said the full panel resolved at last night's meeting to formally charge Thaksin and Pojaman in the case.

He said the couple would be charged with violating Article 152 of the Criminal Code for allegedly exploiting his position for personal gain, as well as certain provisions of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act.

The criminal offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of Bt20,000.

"The court can order seizure of land acquired through illegitimate bidding," Udom said.

He said the documents obtained by the AEC led it to believe that a number of Land Department officials were also involved in the alleged irregularities surrounding the land purchase from the government's Financial Institutions Development Fund. However, the AEC had found no proof against those officials.

The AEC had earlier charged Thaksin and Pojaman with violating Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act, which bans state officials and their spouses from having an interest in contracts made with state agencies under their supervision.

Meanwhile, the AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday defended criticism that the AEC discriminated in its probe into corruption in the purchase of fire trucks by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. "We are only ruled by evidence," he said.

The five people incriminated by the AEC did not include Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

An earlier probe by the Department of Special Investigation found seven officials culpable.

"We work in a straightforward manner and there is no political interference,'' he said.

AEC Viroj Laohaphan said yesterday that he and his colleagues will today meet the Attorney-General to discuss the committee's powers.

Viroj, who heads the AEC panel investigating tax-related cases, said the AEC was authorised to calculate the amount of taxable income held by those it was investigating.

Questions have been raised about whether the AEC has the authority to calculate how much tax those under investigation should pay, following concerns this could lead to legal challenges alleging the AEC had exceeded its power.

Meanwhile, members of the National Legislative Assembly(NLA) are continuing to seek ways to extend the AEC's term. Assembly member Wallop Tangkananurak said he and member Paisal Puetmongkol had proposed the idea.

Wallop said he had collected 70 names of the NLA members to support the Bill for an amendment to the 30th announcement of the Council for Democratic Reform to extend the term of the AEC - which is due to end on September 30.

When it reached 100 names, he would submit the Bill to the NLA Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan. The Bill might be considered by the NLA on March 7 or March 14. However, the government would still have to consider the Bill proposed by the NLA within 30 days.

Wallop said he had acknowledged PM's Office Minister Prasith Kowilaikul and the legal amendment process might be finished in June, adding that the AEC's term should be extended for a few years because it had not received much co-operation from government officials.

Another option is to extend its term until the constitution is drafted. The new charter will determine which organisations will continue the AEC's work, he said.

Chamlong Srimuang last week said his group, with at least 60 assembly members, was pushing for the amendment. However, Wallop said his group had not teamed up with Chamlong.

NLA member Prapan Koonmee said he would bring the Bill to the NLA Whip today before proposing it to Meechai.

Bancha Khaengkhan,

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation