The move came after the AEC obtained a letter of consent signed by the deposed PM allowing his wife to enter into the deal.

Weera Somkwamkid, secretary-general of the People's Network against Corruption, said Thaksin must be held responsible for the purchase because he oversaw state agencies that handled the purchase from the Land Department, the Legal Execution Department and the Bank of Thailand.

Weera also has documents, purportedly of what Thaksin said during a Thai Rak Thai Party meeting on May 25, 2004 about the land purchase. Thaksin said his wife had bought the land at a higher price than other people who had bought land nearby, but he was still being attacked by the opposition.

"This proves that Thaksin acknowledged the land deal and therefore he must face criminal action for violating the anti-corruption law,'' he said.

Pojaman is alleged to have bought the land at a price much lower than market value.

Weera added that Thaksin breached Article 100 of the Counter Corruption Act which bars state officials, the prime minister, members of the cabinet and their spouses from entering into or having interests in a contract with a state agency where they have authority to oversee, control, regulate and execute.

AEC subcommittee chairman Udom Fuangfung talked to Weera about the case for four hours and asked Weera to be a witness.

Weera urged Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to order state agencies involved, including former central bank governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, who is currently the finance minister, to file complaints with police otherwise he will be questioned for dereliction of duty.

He said the deal was suspicious because the transfer of the land was expedited to be completed on December 31, 2003 so that the buyers did not have to pay the transfer fee. The Cabinet then issued a resolution making December 31 a working day - and made January 2 a holiday instead.

"With all this information, I am sure the government can press charges against the people involved within 30 days. But I am not sure how serious they are about this case. Udom was angry at me, saying I am insulting the AEC,'' he said.

AEC has already obtained the letter of consent that Thaksin gave Pojaman to buy the 33-rai plot from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF), which was under the central bank's control, in 2003.

The letter of consent is dated December 29, 2003, and is signed by Thaksin in front of two witnesses. He also provided his ID card and housing registration for the purpose.

The Nation