The allegations were exposed by the United States Justice Department, said NLA Vice President Surachai Liengboon-lertchai yesterday.

The department said that bribes were paid to some people who claimed to be advisers on the Thai Parliament’s CCTV camera procurement project.

Surachai said he had instructed the committee that oversaw the compound to ask relevant staff to explain what happened regarding the project, which was carried out in 2006.

The initial finding would then be forwarded to the NLA’s president, who would decide on future action.

Surachai stressed that the project had nothing to do with present executives, but the investigation was needed to help ensure accountability and transparency.

He said there would be legal proceedings if any irregularities were uncovered.

Surachai said that criminal charges concerning corruption now have no statute of limitation, but there would be a problem in pursuing disciplinary action against officials if they have already retired.

Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Sorasak Pienvej said he has instructed Parliament’s budget bureau to look into the expenditures during that period to see if there were any irregularities.

If found, an official fact-finding committee would be set up to pursue the case.

Parliament is prepared to cooperate with other anti-corruption agencies, including the National Anti Corruption Commission as well as the Office of the Auditor General, he said.