Background:

The allegations originated from a share purchase in November 7, 1997, when Bhanapot received 4.5 million shares of Shinawatra Computer and Communication worth Bt738 million from the maid Duangta Wongpakdi, as a wedding gift from Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, allegedly as part of a conspiracy to avoid taxation.
The Assets Examination Committee alleged that Pojaman had paid for the share purchase with an accountpayee cheque to Duangta. The cheque was later deposited into an account in the name of Pojaman, who paid a Bt7.38million purchase fee to the stock exchange.

Key suspects and the charges

1. Bhanapot Damapong, Pojaman Shinawatra, Duangta Wongpakdi (the maid employed by Pojaman), Kanchana Honghern, Wanchai Honghern and Prani Wetpruekpitak are all accused of colluding to avoid tax.
2. Five Revenue Department officials were also charged with dereliction of duty and negligence and were fired:
Former Revenue Department director-general Sirote Sawasdipanich
3. Vichai Juengrakkiati, director of the State Enterprises Policy Committee Office, who was at the time director of the Legal Division
- Moreerat Boonyasiri, director of the Legal Division
- Kulruedee Saengsayan, senior legal official
- Suchinda Saengchompu, senior regional revenue official.

Key evidence

The AEC has alleged that there was never a share sale between Pojaman and Bhanapot because Pojaman paid for the purchase with an accountpayee cheque to Duangta which was later deposited into an account in the name of Pojaman.
Bhanapot claims that the shares were a wedding gift from Pojaman, but the National Counter Corruption Commission in December last year dismissed the claim, arguing that Banapot had registered his marriage on January 1996, almost two years before the share transfer.

Latest development:
January 15, 2007: Bhanapot paid the Revenue Department Bt543 million in revenue for the Bt738 million worth of Shinawatra Computer and Communications received from Pojaman. Bhanapot appealed against the taxpayment ruling and placed Bt543 million as a surety for the appeal.
December 25, 2006: The Finance Ministry resolved to dismiss Revenue Department directorgeneral Sirote Sawasdipanich and four other senior officials for failing to tax a relative of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over a share deal.
December 7: The National Counter Corruption Commission decided to indict Sirote and four other senior officials on criminal and disciplinary charges over tax exemptions for Banapot, who acquired 4.5 million shares of Shin Corp from the transfer that Khunying Pojaman made in November 1997 through a family maid.
November: The AEC ruled that Bhanapot had to pay Bt546 million in tax for the share acquisition.