The anti-graft agency is gearing up to freeze almost 100 million baht from former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith in a fresh probe into his alleged ill-gotten assets.
Preecha Lertkamolmart, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), said the targeted assets are believed to be among assets worth 346.65 million baht that were earlier declared by the agency as ill-gotten.
He was speaking after the NACC recently appointed a fresh panel to investigate the former DSI chief for being unusually rich.
Mr Preecha, who is in charge of the asset probe against Mr Tarit, said his panel has credible information the ex-DSI boss has transferred large amounts of assets to his close aides.
He said the panel is examining the assets and will have them frozen if the owners cannot explain their origins. The frozen assets will be subject to further examination.
Mr Preecha said the NACC would treat the former DSI chief fairly.
Earlier, the NACC froze about 90 million baht assets in Mr Tarit's possession.
A source close to the NACC said initial findings show the former DSI boss transferred assets to individuals including his wife, children and a police officer. The assets include cash, stocks and land plots.
The fresh move is apparently part of an extended probe into Mr Tarit's unusual wealth which began after he was transferred to an advisory role at the Prime Minister's Office following the coup.
It was not until early last year that the NACC ruled Mr Tarit had amassed unexplained wealth of 346.65 million baht when he headed the DSI.
According to the NACC findings, Mr Tarit also concealed these assets in various forms and transferred some to nominees. The anti-graft agency subsequently ordered a freeze of the alleged ill-gotten assets worth 90 million baht.
The NACC said that as the remaining assets worth 256 million baht were either transferred to others or concealed, the assets should be recovered from other assets held by Mr Tarit and his wife, Wassamon.
Following the ruling, the NACC forwarded the case to the Office of Attorney-General to seek a court order to have those assets seized and handed over to state coffers.
The assets included cash deposits worth about 4 million baht; land in several provinces including Pathum Thani, Chai Nat and Nakhon Ratchasima; and vehicles.
Some of these assets were held by Mr Tarit's nephew identified as Piyaruek Atthakarnrat; Piyathanawat Co, a company owned by Mr Piyaruek and Kanda Phuedchanthuek, who is Ms Wassamon's sister; and a man identified as Sonchai Srithongkul.
During the course of the NACC probe into his wealth, Mr Tarit filed lawsuits against the NACC with the Criminal Court over its order to impound the assets, but the lawsuits were thrown out.
The former DSI chief also lodged a civil lawsuit demanding 100 million baht in compensation from the NACC. The Civil Court also threw out that lawsuit.