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The panel's chairman Prasert Boonsri, however, declined to comment whether any more accused would be added, saying that after AEC approval the accused would be informed of the charges and given a chance to explain themselves.

"The case will then be concluded for the AEC's consideration before it is passed on to the public prosecutors to proceed through the justice system," he said.

Prasert said the AEC had invited the Austrian supplier to give testimony but no co-operation had been forthcoming from the company. Many companies also failed to cooperate with the probe; an exception was Chon Buri-based Seatboat Co Ltd, which sold fire boats at Bt14 million each to Steyr Co, which then sold them to the city administration at Bt25 million each, he said.

In related news, AEC member Banjerd Singkaneti who led a subcommittee investigating the rubber-sapling scandal, said Wednesday would be the last day for private companies allegedly involved in the scandal to be informed of the charges against them. After that the accused would be required to explain themselves within 15 days, he said.