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Published on October 8, 2007

Vichit Plangsrisakul and Nikom Chaowakitisopon called a press conference at which they proposed that the AEC debate with them before the media or on a public stage whether their investigation of Thaksin was justified.

The lawyers claimed that more than half the country agreed with having the two-and three-digit lottery scheme, including nearly 150 members of the National Legislative Assembly who supported laws to allow the lotteries.

"This shows that some accusations that the AEC used to freeze Thaksin's assets worth over Bt70 billion have no grounds,'' Vichit said.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang responded by saying the panel's role was not to debate with the accused. "I do not believe that the plaintiffs and defendants should debate. We have a duty to investigate, not debate,'' he said.

AEC member Udom Fuangfung said the AEC had to investigate the two-and three-digit lottery scheme because the Thaksin government did not handle it in a straightforward manner since the money earned did not go into state coffers.

What the government and the NLA want to do is to ensure that the lottery scheme is carried out legally and correctly, he said.