BANGKOK (AP) — At a military base outside Bangkok, soldiers stand guard over Buddha statues, showcases of Rolex watches and some very expensive French wine — a $4,000 bottle of Petrus and choice vintages of Dom Perignon. Police accuse Pongpat of leading a network responsible for offenses including money laundering, extortion and taking bribes from oil smugglers, illegal gambling dens and police officers seeking promotions. A second sale is scheduled for later this month. Since Pongpat and several other police officials were arrested in November, authorities say they discovered assets worth more than 1 billion baht, or $30 million, including 104 plots of land and a massive art stash that was hidden in underground vaults and safe houses. Much of it is not up for auction, including 12th-century Buddhist statues that have been turned over to Thailand's Fine Arts Department, and ivory tusks, gold bars, luxury cars and diamond jewelry held by the anti-money-laundering agency. Pongpat had more time to accumulate wealth than many top-level Thai police officials, who typically rotate posts every two years. [...] analysts including Jomdet Trimek, a police officer turned academic, cast doubt on police claims that Pongpat's actions were unique. Critics say the army's real goal is to cripple political allies of self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, also on grounds of corruption and insulting the monarchy.