The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will determine today if formal charges will be laid against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, over a controversial land purchase.

Udom Fuangfoong, who heads the AEC subcommittee investigating the purchase by Pojaman of plots in the Ratchadaphisek Road area, said he would recommend formal charges.

He said Thaksin and Pojaman would need to testify in their defence.

Thaksin has been in exile overseas since he was overthrown in last September's military coup.

He can appear in person, via video link or submit written testimony, according to Udom. He added the AEC would make the final decision.

Pojaman is accused of securing the plots thanks to the influence of her husband, who was prime minister at the time.

The land was sold by the government's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF).

Thaksin is accused of abusing his authority as the supervisor of the FIDF. Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act prohibits any public office holder from exerting such influence.

A source said yesterday another AEC subcommittee investigating the airport explosives scanner scandal will recommend today the AEC formally charge 22 people involved, including Thaksin and former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengreung said yesterday the committee would now start investigating alleged corruption in the purchase by the Bangkok Municipal Administration of fire-fighting equipment.

Five people, including former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and two former Cabinet members have been named in relation to the alleged overpriced purchase.

In a related development, the subcommittee investigating the Shinawatra family's sale of Shin Corp shares to Singapore's Temasek Holding will ask Malaysian-based Thai businessman Surin Upatkoon and other Kularb Kaew board members to testify, according to another source familiar with the probe.

Surin is a major shareholder of Kularb Kaew, which represented Temasek in the Shin Corp deal.

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation