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Thai corruption inquiry to begin Thai corruption inquiries begin
(about 7 hours later)
A special commission is beginning work in Thailand to investigate allegations of widespread corruption under ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thai investigators are starting to look at corruption allegations against ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Nine investigators appointed by the new military government will examine the tax records of Mr Thaksin's ministers. Sawat Chotiphanit, the head of a new anti-graft committee, said Mr Thaksin's assets could be frozen if he had tried to transfer them abroad.
Government corruption was one of the main reasons given by the military for launching last week's coup.Government corruption was one of the main reasons given by the military for launching last week's coup.
Earlier this year, suspected financial wrongdoing triggered mass protests against the government.Earlier this year, suspected financial wrongdoing triggered mass protests against the government.
In particular, the $2bn sale of Mr Thaksin's telecoms empire to a company in Singapore had aroused suspicion. In particular, the $2bn sale by Mr Thaksin's family of its stake in a telecoms empire to a company in Singapore aroused suspicion.
"Any cases that cause serious damage to the country, we will have to investigate urgently," said Parnthep Klanarongran, the new chief of the National Counter-Corruption Commission. Wide powers
Three separate bodies will investigate alleged corruption under the old regime - a sign that the issue is clearly a priority for the new administration.
The military rulers have revived the old National Counter-Corruption Commission, which was abandoned under the 1997 constitution. The nine-member grouping held its first meeting on Monday.
The powers of the auditor general's office have also been increased to include extensive graft probes, and the office is soon expected to deliver a verdict on whether corruption was involved in the purchase of X-ray scanners at Bangkok's new international airport.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR PM Supachai Panitchpakdi, former World Trade Organisation chiefChatumongol Sonakul, former central bank chief, sacked by Mr ThaksinPridiyathorn Devakula, central bank chiefAckaratorn Chularat, president of Supreme Administrative Court 'Deserved rest' for Thaksin Regional press worriedPOSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR PM Supachai Panitchpakdi, former World Trade Organisation chiefChatumongol Sonakul, former central bank chief, sacked by Mr ThaksinPridiyathorn Devakula, central bank chiefAckaratorn Chularat, president of Supreme Administrative Court 'Deserved rest' for Thaksin Regional press worried
"If anyone commits wrongdoing, they will have to be prosecuted in the courts," he said on Saturday in an interview with Thai television. But the main focus of attention is on the special panel headed by Sawat Chotipanich, which has been given wide-ranging powers to review all projects undertaken by Mr Thaksin and his government, to look for evidence of graft.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Thailand's military coup have been discussing the appointment of a new civilian prime minister. "As of now, there have been no assets confiscated," said Mr Sawat.
They have promised to find a replacement within two weeks. "But if there is evidence proving that the suspects are trying to move or transfer assets before a court ruling, we will seek court approval to seize their assets," he added.
They are expected to provide a shortlist including leading economists and judges to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who will name a new leader on Wednesday. The Thai press has speculated that Mr Thaksin managed to take some assets out of the country before the coup.
Airline officials told the Associated Press he had travelled with more than 100 cases and trunks when he flew to New York for a UN meeting last week.
But Group Captain Montol Suchookorn, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Air Force, told the French news agency AFP: "The amount of luggage was not unusual."
Mr Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon, is reported to have amassed a fortune of more than $2bn - although many of his assets are believed to be held by his wife, children and close associates.
Mr Thaksin's wife Pojaman left Thailand in the early hours of Monday morning, to be reunited with her husband in London, where he has been staying since late last week.
New PM
The coup's leaders have been discussing the appointment of a new civilian prime minister.
They are expected to provide a shortlist to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who will name a new leader as early as Wednesday.
Among the likely candidates are Pridiyathorn Devakula, governor of the Bank of Thailand, and Supachai Panitchpakdi, director-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
The military has also said it will hold fresh elections by October next year.The military has also said it will hold fresh elections by October next year.