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Published on September 25, 2007

AEC member Khunying Jaravan Maintaka proposed the freeze on suspicion the funds came from accounts held by four members of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family, said AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang.

The four are Thaksin's children Panthongtae and Pinthongta, his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra, and his brother-in-law Bhanapot Damapong.

Sak said although the funds were suspicious, the AEC would allow the auditor to explain the money trail before deciding on its next move.

The AEC also ruled against a petition filed by Thaksin's defence team to use "frozen" funds as collateral for an Bt11.3-billion tax liability incurred by Panthongtae and Pinthongta in connection with the Shin Corp sale last year.

It instructed the Revenue Department to demand tax payments from assets that have not been frozen.

In regard to the planned hearing on graft indictments relating to the Exim Bank loan to Burma, Thaksin is obliged to reply by tomorrow on whether he objects to the hearing panel. If he fails to respond by the deadline, the hearing will proceed as scheduled.

Meanwhile, the AEC has approved formation of a panel headed by Nam Yimyaem to investigate irregularities relating to the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority's purchase of fire-fighting vehicles. Key panel members include Banjerd Singkhaneti and Chaithas Rattanapan.

The Nation