The Asset Examina-tion Committee (AEC) is ready to investigate the money trail of the Bt5.7 billion that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will use to buy a majority stake in Manchester City, according to a panel member.

Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka said the AEC was awaiting a complaint to start the process, as the ex-premier said earlier that he already had the money outside the country to pay for the English Premier League football club.

Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjittha said the matter was within the AEC's jurisdiction.

Earlier, AEC issued orders freezing the assets of Thaksin and his family amounting to more than Bt50 billion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thaksin should try to clear his name through due process, and that the government was ready to ensure his safety should he return home to fight the charges against him.

"Thaksin will have to decide his future for himself: the government has no objection to his return," he said in reference to speculation that Thaksin might end his exile in London and return to stand trial in December.

The unpleasant alternative to coming home will be for Thaksin to fight extradition requests for the next 10 years as fugitive, Charnchai said.

Surayud said his government would not interfere in litigation involving Thaksin, such as the upcoming trial over the Ratchadaphisek land deal, but the police would do everything possible to ensure his safety.

In view of the dissipating turmoil, the government is no longer concerned about social divisions being triggered by Thaksin's presence in his homeland, he said.

Commenting on the summons for Thaksin to report to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) by Friday, the justice minister said the ousted premier could not cite safety concerns as a reason to avoid the summons.

"Police are ready to provide adequate protection, and there is no justification for Thaksin not to return to Bangkok," the minister said.

The DSI on Tuesday ordered Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, to report to the department by June 29 to acknowledge charges of asset concealment related to their shareholdings in SC Asset Plc.

Under the special graft law, the two accused must be present in person for the indictment. Should Thaksin and Pojaman fail to show up by the deadline, the DSI will have to upgrade its summons to an arrest warrant, and the couple will become fugitives.

The Office of the Attorney-General can then issue an extradition request based on the outstanding warrant.

Pojaman could be arrested on sight if she returns to the capital from Singapore, where she is reportedly undergoing a check-up on her heart.

Thaksin's lawyer, Noppadon Patama, has suggested that the authorities fly to London to indict Thaksin instead of summoning him to Bangkok.