SNACK BOX CASH
POST REPORTERS
The Supreme Court yesterday asked police to charge three lawyers for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra with trying to bribe court officials with a gift of a snack box containing two million baht. Mr Thaksin promptly issued a statement denying any involvement in the alleged offence.
Natcha Worawatmethikul, director of the administrative office of the Supreme Court, was instructed to file a complaint with Wat Chanasongkhram police station against Pichit Chuenban, the lead lawyer, legal assistant Supasri Srisawat (a woman), and the coordinator of the legal team, Thana Tansiri.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sentenced each of the three lawyers to six months in jail for contempt of court within the precincts of the court.
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| Thaksin: Denies any involvement in bribery |
The two million baht was found in a box given to a court official by one of the lawyers on June 10. The legal team was due in court that day to report that Mr Thaksin and his wife had returned from a business trip abroad.
The official informed his superiors, which led to the Supreme Court investigation.
The court found that all three lawyers were aware of the contents of the gift box.
Ms Natcha gave police a copy of the court's ruling in the contempt case as evidence.
Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1 which accepted the complaint, said investigators would complete their inquiries within 30 days.
Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said the case was not complicated. A senior investigator would supervise it.
Pichit and Supasri began serving the jail sentences immediately.
Thana, who had pleaded a headache and was not at the court to hear Wednesday's ruling, was detained yesterday at Bamrungrad hospital by Lumpini police, who executed an arrest warrant.
In a written statement. Mr Thaksin said he returned to Thailand to fight the charges against him in a straightforward and transparent manner and was confident of his innocence.
He said the alleged bribery attempt would not do him any good and the court official in question did not have authority in the case in which he was being tried.
The former prime minister said he respected the court's decision but felt sorry for the three members of his legal team.
Pichit was visited by at least 20 friends and family members at Bangkok Special Prison yesterday. Some broke into tears during the 15-minute visit.
Prison governor Songwut Wattanakul said Pichit appeared stressed when he arrived at the jail. He said it would take time for the lawyer to adjust to the prison environment.
Mr Songwut said since Pichit is a lawyer, prison staff expect to put his knowledge and expertise to good use during his six-month stay.
Ang-kanung Lepnak, director of the Central Women's Correctional Institute, said Supasri did not show any signs of stress.
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