Kaewsan, the AEC secretary and chairman of the Ua Athorn panel, said he would propose the full AEC panel set up the subcommittee.

He said an initial probe discovered a conspiracy between officials of the National Housing Authority, which is in charge of the project, and several contractors to acquire land for the project at inflated prices and to build low-quality houses at high prices. He said irregularities went on even after the September 19 coup.

Broadcasting :PTV rally at Sanam Luang on Friday

Organisers of PTV, the satellite television station being set up by former Thai Rak Thai members, plan to hold a mass rally at Sanam Luang on Friday to protest over the ban on its broadcasts and the government's alleged double standards in letting rival ASTV stay on air.

"One powerful figure is applying pressure behind the scenes to prevent PTV from broadcasting via the Thaicom satellite," station chairman Veera Musigapong said yesterday. He wanted the rally to become a venue for people adversely affected by the coup.

Bid rigging :Court verdict postponed

The reading of a Court of Appeal verdict in a bid-rigging trial involving nine men close to an influential kamnan was postponed yesterday after it was reported that one defendant had died.