Lawyers for family members of fugitive ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra reported to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to answer questions concerning suspected financial funding for red shirts movement.
The eight people were the third batch out of 83 individuals and firms whose accounts were frozen under an order of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on suspicion of financing the reds protests.
They are Thaksin's daughter Pinthongta Shinawatra, his sisters Yingluck and Yaowaret Shinawatra, his brother-in-law Bannapoj Damapong, his brother Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, personal secretary of Mr Thaksin's ex-wife Kanchanapa Honghern, opposition Puea Thai Bangkok MPs Karun Hosakul and Wicharn Meenchainant.
Wicharn was the first to arrive at DSI headquarters together with his lawyer and details of his bank accounts. He expressed confidence that he will be able to clarify the matter as nothing unusal in the transactions. He will return on July 21 to show details of more bank accounts.
Pinthongta's lawyer; Kittiporn Arunrat, said he brought details of six bank accounts of his client, estimated to amount--with interest--to Bt20 billion, which have been frozen since 2007.
The lawyer argued that Pinthongta cannot use even a single baht from her accounts.
Kittiporn said earlier that the Shinawatras' bank accounts were frozen under the order of the Assets Examination Committee since June 2007, followed by the verdict of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in February 2010 and the latest CRES order on April 28.
Somporn Wongsuwan, representing Kanchanapa, said he came to the DSI office to ask in what regard he should clarify the case and will meet the investigators again July 21.