Highlights of the week : AEC conclusion on tax evasion
The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) fact-finding panel investigating alleged tax evasion by children of the ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in relation to Shin Corp shares sold to Temasek Holdings, is scheduled to conclude its report this week.
After that, the AEC will decide whether to appoint an investigation panel and inform the Shinawatras of the charges likely to be filed against them.
FTA with Japan to be signed today The signing of the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (Jtepa) is scheduled for today (April 3). The business sector has welcomed Cabinet's decision to approve the free-trade agreement, as it marks a significant step forward in boosting the country's economic relations with Japan, the biggest foreign investor in the country. But non-government groups have been seeking ways to stop the signing. They say the deal will disadvantage Thailand and that Foreign Affairs officials failed to disclose information to the public about the FTA. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has been in Japan since yesterday.
Anti-coup activists' next rallies On Thursday, the Saturday Anti-Coup Group will reveal how many signatures it has collected from people who oppose Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. The group and other anti-coup groups, including Pirab Khao 2006 and Federation for Democracy, will hold a rally again on Thursday at Sanam Luang. Meanwhile, PTV is scheduled to hold another protest at Sanam Luang on Sunday. It has decided not to join with other groups. The Saturday Anti-Coup Group signature drive instigated at Friday's PTV rally has come in for criticism and PTV has distanced itself. Anti-coup campaigners said on Friday they planned to gather about 100,000 signatures and submit them to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary.
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