Bribing or Framing?

[Isaan Rollie]

B2 mln left in ‘snack box' for court judge

A snack box left for a Supreme Court judge presiding over a high-profile case was found to contain two million baht when court staff opened it yesterday.

Supreme Court president Wirat Limwichai ordered an immediate investigation into the matter and set up a panel comprising three other judges.

Sarawut Benchakul, deputy secretarygeneral of the Office of the Judiciary, said a lawyer handling a high-profile case involving a politician left the box with a court official when he arrived to file a motion at the Supreme Court building in Sanam Luang.

He gave instructions that the box be given to the judge handling the case.

Following security regulations, court staff opened the box and found two million baht in cash stuffed inside.

They then alerted the judge. He phoned the lawyer, who came to pick up the box before the matter reached Mr Wirat's ears.

Mr Wirat said the inquiry panel would find out who left the box, for whom, and why the box was quickly returned and not kept as evidence.

The findings would serve as the basis for further action.

Although the money was returned, if it was found to be an attempt at bribery it would be deemed contempt of court and those involved would be punished.

"This might be the most blatant act of bribery ever," Mr Sarawut said.

Assets Scrutiny Committee chairman Nam Yimyaem said he had never seen a plot to discredit the court of justice such as this one before, and called on society to safeguard the judiciary in this turbulent time. (Bangkok Post, TNA)

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_new ... ?id=128159

Little cash for high profile politicians

[newsclip]

Lunch box lawyers jailed

Three members of the legal time for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were ordered to prison for six months on Wednesday for their part in the snack-box bribe attempt at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court handed down the sentences after investigating the case. The three were convicted for "violating the dignity of the court," Supreme Court Vice President Moonkol Thapthieng announced.

On June 10, a C-7 court official reported that a lawyer had handed him a snack box containing two million baht and told him to spread it around.

After an investigation, Supreme Court officials charged Mr Thaksin's lawyers with an attempt to bribe court officials. They are lawyer Pichit Chuenban, his assistant Suppasri Srisawasdi and lawyer Thana Tansiri.

The three cannot appeal the verdict or their sentence.

Mr Thana failed to show up for the hearing, claiming he had a headache. The court ruled that his ailment was minor, and that he was avoiding an appearance as ordered. The court issued an arrest warrant on the spot.

On June 10, Mr Pichit and his team, representing Mr Thaksin and his wife Khunying Potjaman, were at the court to report the couple had returned from a business trip overseas.

Bangkok Post June 25, 2008

[KoratCat]

Thaksin denies involvement in snack box case

(BangkokPost.com) - Spokesman of Thaksin Shinawatra read a statement of the ex-premier that denied involvement in the two-million-baht snack box incident where his three lawyers were found guilty.

Pongthep Thepkanchana read the statement at the 111 Foundation on Thursday.

The statement, without the signature of Mr Thaksin, said the former prime minister feels sorry that his lawyers were found guilty of contempt of court and were sentenced to six month in prison.

They represented Mr Thaksin and his wife in the Ratchadaphisek land deal.

Mr Thaksin said he respects the court ruling and, again, vowed that he is innocent and will fight the case under justice system.

Meanwhile, Democrat party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said the government should not ignore this matter. He called on the government to assign the National Counter Corruption Commission to trace where the lawyers get the money from.

Bangkok Post June 26, 2008