The problem in trying to independently verify whether "over-priced" relief bags were ordered by the Flood Relief Operations Centre (Froc) is difficult to assess, as all of the Bt800 bags have supposedly been given away already.

What you have is a picture of goods supposedly about to be put inside a bag. Officials insist there was no corruption and volunteers questioned about the matter were upset at the suggestion of possible graft.

Deputy Prime Minister and Froc director Pracha Promnok said yesterday, however, that the matter would be looked into and a result revealed in three days.

"I know it's an issue that the public is concerned about," said Pracha, who added that anyone found to be involved in graft should be punished.

Chamroen Yutithamsakul, an inspector general at the Prime Minister's Office, criticised people on online social networks who spread information that was misleading. He added that people who posted the supposed contents of relief bags online had mistakenly mixed up the content of cheaper bags with the more expensive version.

"The media should consider the fact before reporting about it,"

Chamroen said. "[Online] social networks tend to lack accountability for what they present."

At National Stadium, where hundreds of volunteers continue to pack the cheaper version of Froc relief bags yesterday that came from donated goods, people did not take kindly to being questioned on whether there was possible corruption.

"They can just say things if they don't come and try to help," said Aekachai Thavornkasaet, a teacher from the submerged Charoen Sanitwong Soi 25 and a volunteer who helped pack donated goods.

"Don't even try to compare the price. All who are here came to do this because of their heart."

Another volunteer, nurse Pusadee Bualert, said she was very angry when told about the allegation. "That's because we're doing our best here, helping. It's disheartening."

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation official Anchalee Phanpanya was more willing to discuss the details of the allegation, which she insisted was false. Like Chamroen, she said people mixed up the content of different bags. The Bt800 relief bag was for those facing severe flooding and it includes more expensive ready-to-eat supplies such as canned rice and food, while there were other bags priced at Bt500, as well as Bt300 for less-needy people.

"I think it's due to misunderstanding. But it's our job to make sure things are properly understood," she said, handing a list of contents and pictures of the relief bags from the three price range.

Pusadee admitted, however, that public donations had been dropping recently, adding that this may have been caused by political rivalry and "negative publicity" by the media.

Red shirt volunteer leader Sombat Boon-ngam-anong urged the government to prove its innocence. He said the Bt800 bag - now handed out - should be displayed to the public.