The Assets Examina-tion Committee (AEC) yesterday accused Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, her brother Bhanapot Damapong, and four others of colluding to evade tax.

The allegations relate to the sale of Shinawatra Computer and Communication shares in 1997.

The four are Duangta Wongpakdi, a maid employed by Pojaman, Kanchana Honghern, Wanchai Honghern and Prani Wetpruekpitak.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said yesterday the AEC would consider the allegations as two separate cases.

He explained one of the alleged offences occurred in November 1997 when Bhanapot received 4.5 million shares worth Bt738 million from Duangta.

The committee contends the purchase was a ploy to avoid tax. It alleges Pojaman paid for the purchase with an account-payee cheque to Duangta. The cheque was later deposited into an account in the name of Pojaman. She paid a Bt7.38-million purchase fee to the stock exchange.

The second allegation relates to National Counter Corruption (NCCC) and Revenue Department investigations of 2003 into alleged irregularities behind the same purchase.

Bhanapot claimed at the time he received the shares as a wedding gift from Pojaman. He asserted under Article 40 of the Revenue Code such transactions were tax exempt.

Sak yesterday alleged Bhanapot covered up the truth to avoid tax.

He said the AEC believed the accused broke Article 37 of the code and Article 83 of the Criminal Code.

The AEC named a five-member panel including Sak, Klanarong Chantik, prosecutor Prateep Ruangwong, NCCC official Thammanoon Ruangdit and revenue official Supat Siriaksorn to investigate.

If the allegations have merit the committee will forward the matter to state prosecutors.

Meanwhile, NCCC commissioner Somlak Chadkrabuanpol has wrapped up an investigation into claims a revenue official failed to impose proper tax assessments on Bhanapot for the transaction.

She will submit her report to NCCC chairman Panthep Klanarongran. A ruling is expected within two weeks.

In a related development, Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr yesterday submitted to AEC subcommittee spokesman Tortrakul Yomnak material related to the purchase of airport CTX bomb scanners.

Alongkorn claimed the material showed a conspiracy between a foreign company and government officials to rig machine specifications.

He said deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra chaired the panel that considered the bomb detectors.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Nerisa Nerykhieo

The Nation