The three groups will cover tax-related cases, irregularities relating to Suvarnabhumi Airport and farm-related projects.

AEC member Viroj Laohaphan was asked to lead the investigation into tax records of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his family members.

Key cases would include the tax audit on the sale of Shin Corp shares via the offshore investment firm Ample Rich, Viroj said.

He said he would closely work with the Office of the Auditor General to collect evidence.

Fellow panellist Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka will focus on graft cases stemming from the construction of the new airport.

Panel members Kaewsan Atibhodi and Udom Fuangfoong will head the probe team on

farm-related projects, such as

the purchase of rubber saplings and the construction of a central laboratory for the testing of farm products.

Kaewsan, also the committee secretary-general, said he would ask the panel to appoint people to be members of a sub-committee

to help with investigations.

But they must be reliable and discreet, he said, adding he might ask former senators who probed corruption in the Thaksin government to be subcommittee members.

He said the Assets Examination Committee still needed regulations, including an investigation procedure.

The committee would draft

regulations based on those of the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC).

Kaewsan said the panel need-ed to keep inquiries about eight corruption cases confidential before announcing when they are done.

Yesterday, Pranee Vechapruek-pitak, Shin Corp's accountant in charge of tax payments for the sale of Shin shares, reported to the Office of the Auditor-General to clarify allegations of tax evasion - as invited. Pranee is a tax expert close to Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of the former PM.

However, Pisit Leelavachiropas, director of the OAG's legal division, said later he hadn't received a report from investigators on what Pranee said.

Meanwhile, Network of People's Power for Democracy leader Surapong Towijakchaikul called on the committee to investigate Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s projects, including construction of roads, bridges and underpasses, and the procurement of fire-trucks and fire-boats. He said they should investigate such projects to show their neutrality.

Surapong, a former Democrat MP, is now a Thai Rak Thai member, while most BMA executives and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodin are Democrats.

Nerisa Nerykhiew,

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation