Pastrygate!
Tuesday, 12.30pm: A lawyer who had formerly represented a politician hands a court official a bag containing a box of pastries. The box is found to contain Bt2 million in cash.
The official asks what the lawyer wants. He replies "just share it amongst you".
The official notifies a passing judge about the unusual "gift".
The judge instructs the official to photograph the box and its contents and return it to the lawyer.
Judge would have had Bt2-million-bribe suspect behind bars 'on the spot'
Top Supreme Court Justice Kriengchai Jungchatupit says he would have arrested the lawyer suspected by many of attempting to bribe judges "on the spot".
The head of the court's division hearing cases against political-office holders says if he had been there at the time the alleged bribe was "left", the suspect would be behind bars.
"If I was there, I would have arrested him on the spot," says Kriengchai.
"I would not have let him take the money back. I would have charged him with contempt.
"I have learned that the person who brought the money to the court was arguing a case before the court earlier."
At lunchtime on Tuesday, a lawyer, believed to represent a politician, left a parcel of pastries filled with Bt2 million in banknotes with a senior court as he submitted court documents.
The parcel and cash were photographed and returned to the lawyer.
"I was surprised the lawyer dared give Bt2 million to a court official," Kriengchai says. "That's a lot of money. When the official looked inside the box, he was shocked. He called a judge who was passing by."
Full Story: The Nation
Thought: Mr T up to his old tricks again thinking he can buy off who he likes simply because he is loaded.
Judge outraged at 2M baht lunchbox bribe for Thaksin
Judge outraged at 2M baht lunchbox bribe for Thaksin
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I think your thought is about right buksi. Some things just don't change here.
It's a bit breath-taking though that this guy had the temerity to do it like that, there.
I suppose we have all lived a sheltered western life before coming to asia and being exposed to the daily 'run-of-the-mill' stuff here like blatant, shameless corruption.
However, it'll probably, somehow, be outshined shortly by another example of local practices in the field of fair and open play in asia.
It's a bit breath-taking though that this guy had the temerity to do it like that, there.
I suppose we have all lived a sheltered western life before coming to asia and being exposed to the daily 'run-of-the-mill' stuff here like blatant, shameless corruption.
However, it'll probably, somehow, be outshined shortly by another example of local practices in the field of fair and open play in asia.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
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malcolminthemiddle
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The Post and The Nation are full of this story, with various versions of the story being updated
The latest is that the lawyer has now been identified.
There is also a statement from one of the court officials that the lawyer was in fact not alone at the time, and was accompanied by "a relative of a former politician"....now I wonder who that would be....?
The latest is that the lawyer has now been identified.
There is also a statement from one of the court officials that the lawyer was in fact not alone at the time, and was accompanied by "a relative of a former politician"....now I wonder who that would be....?
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
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Obviously the Judge was insulted, should have had a bigger lunchbox ref http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent. ... lin19.htmldtaai-maai wrote:Surely the most significant factor here is not that the bribe was offered, but that it was refused, recorded and reported?
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and then again I just sits" Punch 24th Oct 1906
(BangkokPost.com)
Three members of the legal team for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were ordered to prison for six months without appeal on Wednesday for their part in the snack-box bribe attempt at the Supreme Court.
A panel of three judges found lead lawyer Pichit Chuenban, legal assistant Supasri Srisawat and the coordinator of the legal team Thana Tansiri guilty of contempt of court within the court precints.
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.
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.
Three members of the legal team for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were ordered to prison for six months without appeal on Wednesday for their part in the snack-box bribe attempt at the Supreme Court.
A panel of three judges found lead lawyer Pichit Chuenban, legal assistant Supasri Srisawat and the coordinator of the legal team Thana Tansiri guilty of contempt of court within the court precints.
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.
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.
