I won't quit : Interior minister

Aree said he will continue working as the minister and to organise the upcoming national election scheduled for December 23.

Anti-corruption organisation has named Aree and two other cabinet members; Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda and Information and Communication Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookai-yaudom, for the same accusation.

Sitthichai said on Thursday that he will resign by the end of this month, waiting for Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to return from UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Oranuj said Friday that she is considering the matter.

National Counter Corruption Committee's spokesman Klanarong Chantik Klanarong said because of a technicality - the suspension of the 1997 constitution - none of the three could be charged.

Surayud has decided to give the three ministers a week to consider their actions.

In spite of the legal technicality, the ministers involved might not feel comfortable to stay on in their positions, he said, hinting at a possible Cabinet reshuffle.

Oranuj has shares in a partnership and two companies exceeding half of the equity stakes, Klanarong said. Aree holds 20 per cent of shares in a company, while Sitthichai has stakes ranging from 16 per cent to 31 per cent in three companies.