Thaksin's kids seek probe delay
Children of the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sent a lawyer yesterday to ask that their appearance in front of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to give details on controversial Shin Corp deals be deferred - from today till next month.
Panthongtae Shinawatra said he was taking a trip to Japan and would meet the AEC on January 10, while his sister Pinthongta said she had an examination in London and would meet the AEC on January 24, their lawyer Weerapat Srichaiya said.Viroj Laohaphan, head of the AEC panel investigating the case, said they would have to consider if these were sound reasons for the probes to be postponed. The AEC has summoned Panthongtae and Pinthongta to testify in person about their involvement in the tax-free sale of Shin Corp shares held by Ample Rich. The committee said the two could be liable for punishment if they failed to do so. Kanjanapa Honghern, a secretary of Thaksin's wife Pojaman, has also been summoned, but asked for her hearing to be postponed to January 12, as she would be "busy" today. Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said Pinthongta would finish her exams on January 18 and would return to Thailand on January 20. Pojaman, Noppadon said, hadn't received a letter from the AEC summoning her to appear. However, all family members would testify, if requested. The AEC formerly ordered six people involved in a controversial share transfer in 1997, including Pojaman, to appear in person before the panel on January 4 to hear formal charges against them.
|
