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"We're ready to follow instructions from the authorities, but two orders currently contradict each other. We need the authorities to tell us exactly what to do," he said.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has ordered a freeze on Bt76 billion belonging to the Shinawatra family, pending charges against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for alleged unusual wealth and abuse of power. In a letter dated last Friday and signed by Revenue Department deputy directorgeneral Asadang Srisupraphand, the department said it would like the bank to transfer Bt12 billion to it in case it wins the tax case against Panthongtae and Pinthongta.

Directorgeneral Sanit Rangnoi was not in Thailand on the day the letter was sent to SCB. He is believed to oppose asking for SCB to unlock the Shinawatras' money.

Some local newspapers have speculated that if Panthongtae and Pinthongta receive a favourable ruling from the Tax Appeal Committee, they can get their money back from the Revenue Department if SCB releases it.

"If you have any problem, you can ask [directorgeneral Sanit], because right now I also don't know who the real Revenue Department is. You must ask the directorgeneral of the Revenue Department, not me," Anand told reporters.

Meanwhile, to play it safe SCB will continue to freeze Panthongtae and Pinthongta's deposits. The board met yesterday to consider the legalities of the case and will meet again on Thursday. It has also asked for legal opinions from the National Counter Corruption Commission, the Administrative Court and the Office of the AttorneyGeneral.

Revenue Department spokesman Satit Rangkasiri was assigned by Sanit to come out and speak. Satit said by asking SCB to release Panthongtae and Pinthongta's frozen assets, it was following tax law.

"If we don't proceed as tax law requires us to, we could be held responsible for failing to do our duty," said Satit.

The department wants to treat each taxpayer equally, as per its usual practice. If the department did not seek release of the frozen assets, a tax penalty of 1.5 per cent a month would accrue to the two taxpayers, he said.

He said the department would wait for an answer from SCB before deciding on its next move.