British authorities have asked Thailand's  Anti Money Laundering Office (AMLO) what action it wants them to take over Bt10 billion deposited in London bank accounts that belong to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a source said yesterday.

The unnamed British agency that investigates money laundering crimes also said Thaksin had another sum of money deposited in Switzerland, accor-ding to the source. AMLO has informed the Assets Exami-nation Committee (AEC) about the money and is waiting for the graft-busters' decision on action to be taken.

"The AMLO has been checking whether Thaksin used money gained from corruption in his Bt5.6-billion bid to take over Manchester City Football Club. If that is the case, the ownership of the football club must be questioned - whether it should actually belong to the country," Department of Special Investigations chief Sunai Manomai-udom said earlier this week.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday said the National Counter Corruption Commission can press assets concealment charges if Thaksin did not declare the Bt10 billion deposited in London banks.

"Under the NCCC law, political office holders have to declare all their assets no matter which country the assets are kept in,'' he said.

Nam said AMLO has full authority to take action without having to wait for the AEC's decision on whether they should check if the Bt10 billion, or any of Thaksin's money abroad, was ill-gained. He said the AEC focuses only on bank accounts that contain proceeds from the Shin Corp share sale.

Thaksin has been in self-imposed exile since being removed from power in last September's coup. The ousted premier and his family members face investigation and criminal charges over various alleged offences.

Apichart Thanomsap, a senior official at AMLO, confirmed the agency had been contacted. However, he refused to divulge any more information.

Assets Examination Committee spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said the panel was also waiting to receive a written report from AMLO about Thaksin's financial transactions. Thaksin is reported to have more than Bt10 billion overseas.

It remains unclear how he had transferred the money abroad.

Thaksin's lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, said: "It's not true. They are trying to discredit Thaksin. I insist that the former premier's money overseas amounts to less than Bt10 billion and the money is legal."

Noppadon was speaking after the AEC noted that the AMLO reported that the deposed premier had more than Bt10 billion in the UK and Switzerland.

AEC secretary Kaewsan Atibodhi was taken by surprise when reporters approached him about the information that had been leaked to reporters.

"You ask whoever leaked the news. It is a state secret. How can they leak such reports. It will be hard to work on this now,'' he said, while refusing to elaborate.

In a related development, Thaksin is set to raise his stake in Manchester City FC to 66 per cent by buying satellite TV giant BskyB's 9.9 per cent shareholding in the club, the Manchester Evening News reported yesterday.

That will put Thaksin within reach of the 75 per cent shareholding he needs to de-list the club from the London Stock Exchange, the newspaper reported on its website.

Meanwhile, UK sports minister Richard Caborn yesterday held talks with senior English football administrators to discuss concerns over the increase of foreign owners at top English clubs. This followed Thaksin's high-profile bid for Manchester City.

Caborn said after the meeting he wanted rules governing football club ownership constantly reviewed to protect links between local communities and their football clubs, according to BBC Sport.

"The meeting is not just about the Manchester City deal. The City deal has of course raised concerns, but this is just the latest in a growing trend," his spokesman was quoted as saying.

Budsarakham,

Sinlapalavan

The Nation