The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will convene a meeting next Monday to hear testimony from two Cabinet members on why they failed to lodge a complaint over illegal lotteries approved by the former regime.

Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya and Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn may face jail terms of up to six months and a fine of up to Bt10,000 for refusing to testify, AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengrueng said yesterday.

"The AEC decided to launch the hearing after Aree and Chalongphob ignored its request for them to lodge a complaint against the illegal lotteries over the past two weeks," Sak said.

The AEC earlier ruled against the sale of two and three-digit lotteries linked to the ousted government, but cannot proceed to the prosecution stage until concerned agencies file a complaint as injured parties.

Sak reminded other ministers that they too would be targeted if they were slow or reluctant to cooperate with AEC probes.

In regards to the investigation into last year's Shin Corp takeover, he said the AEC-appointed panel was expected to conclude charges relating to the shares transaction between Ample Rich Investment and two children of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Panthongtae and Pinthongta - within two weeks.

In regard to probes on the Airport Link project and the excise tax in lieu of telecom concession fees, the AEC was poised to review the fact-finding reports and spell out indictments in a week or two, he said.

The AEC has assigned its Kaewsan Atibhodi panel to review a complaint from construction contractor Pastiya, which has been indicted for paying bribes in the Ua Arthorn housing project. The company claims that its employees confessed "under duress".