Ukrit says his panel won't work on Thaksin's pardon issue

Ukrit said in a statement posted on his website (ukrit-mongkolnavin.com) that his first task as the committee head would be to select no more than 12 other members who are respected law experts and scholars. They would include deans and former deans of law faculties from Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities, and senior law professors with no political positions.

The statement said that Ukrit, formerly a Senate speaker, would be on an overseas trip for two weeks, as part of a prior appointment. He would begin his work as the panel chairman after his return from the trip.

The panel's work would not overlap with that of the Truth for Reconciliation Committee headed by Kanit Nanakorn, which was established by the previous government, Ukrit said in his statement.

The statement said Ukrit, 77, would still adhere to his resolution made when he was 60 years old - "Leaving politics without abandoning the country".

"Now the country has problems that affect people throughout the country. I cannot stay idle. In doing this work, I will get no benefit in return - no political position or remuneration of any kind," Ukrit said in his statement.