Supreme Court Sentences To Six-months In Jail Lawyer In Pastry Gate

[george]

Supreme Court sentences to six-months in jail lawyer in Pastry Gate

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court sentenced to six months in jail a legal team of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over what is called "the Pastry Gate," in which a supreme court official was given a pastry box filled with Bt2 million in cash.

The team members who each face six months in jail for violating the court's authority are lawyer Pichit Chuenban, coordinator Thana Tansiri and clerk Supasri Srisawat.

Pichit is lawyer of Thaksin on the case that he is alleged of abusing of power in purchasing a plot of land in Ratchadapisek area.

Supreme Court Vice President Mongkol Thapthiang, who heads a panel comprising Supreme Court judge Weeraphol Tangsuwan and Issaret Chairat, investigating the case, said Wednesday the panel found the three guilty of the charge.

The incident is considered grave because it was happened in the high court of the country. Any lawyer who is convicted of the charge cannot cannot work as a lawyer in any court again. The Law Society of Thailand will also have to take legal action against the lawyers.

--The Nation 2008-06-25

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Supreme Court sentences to six-months in jail lawyer in Pastry Gate

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court sentenced to six months in jail a legal team of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over what is called "the Pastry Gate," in which a supreme court official was given a pastry box filled with Bt2 million in cash.

The team members who each face six months in jail for violating the court's authority are lawyer Pichit Chuenban, coordinator Thana Tansiri and clerk Supasri Srisawat.

Pichit is lawyer of Thaksin on the case that he is alleged of abusing of power in purchasing a plot of land in Ratchadapisek area.

Supreme Court Vice President Mongkol Thapthiang, who heads a panel comprising Supreme Court judge Weeraphol Tangsuwan and Issaret Chairat, investigating the case, said Wednesday the panel found the three guilty of the charge.

The incident is considered grave because it was happened in the high court of the country. Any lawyer who is convicted of the charge cannot cannot work as a lawyer in any court again. The Law Society of Thailand will also have to take legal action against the lawyers.

--The Nation 2008-06-25

That is good news, a longer sentence would have been better but at least he can no longer be a lawyer. Now what if anything happens to Thaksin. You know it wasn't the lawyers money.

[Chang_paarp]

No official "acceptance" of who put the money up? Not the sort of small change most lawyers and clerks keep in their lunch boxes.

[steveromagnino]

No official "acceptance" of who put the money up? Not the sort of small change most lawyers and clerks keep in their lunch boxes.

IN A DEMOCRACY sometimes justice is served.

He may be given 1m a plate Kao Pud but the guy has paid the price for his boss; SOM NUM NA!

[slapout]

The lawyers for all the convicted parties seem to file an appeal to keep their clients out of the pokey, sometimes it seems to go on forever. Wonder who you appeal the Supreme Court decision to? Maybe they can be taken ill, miss the next step in the legal procedure, and disappear into the sunset. I am amazed at the speed of the offense to sentencing. Maybe a little post sentence questioning by the BIB could shed light on who directed that payment be offered. The BIB seem very adapt at getting confessions from people. I do hope this is the start of a trend in accountability toward this type of action. I will not post what I expect to happen, self, think positive.

[Crushdepth]

They got off pretty lightly IMHO. Suprised it wasn't a shopping trolley instead of a lunch box...but anyway, hopefully this will put a dent in any lingering doubts over Thaksin's moral fibre.

[sriracha john]

They can still be referred for criminal prosecution of bribery which carries much harsher penalties, (refer to news posts in the previous thread on this issue)...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=137480

but it's good to see justice beginning to be served, Thumbs up to the Supreme Court...

Perhaps Thaksin's 30 year sentence is still in the cards....

Edited June 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The lawyers for all the convicted parties seem to file an appeal to keep their clients out of the pokey, sometimes it seems to go on forever. Wonder who you appeal the Supreme Court decision to? Maybe they can be taken ill, miss the next step in the legal procedure, and disappear into the sunset. I am amazed at the speed of the offense to sentencing. Maybe a little post sentence questioning by the BIB could shed light on who directed that payment be offered. The BIB seem very adapt at getting confessions from people. I do hope this is the start of a trend in accountability toward this type of action. I will not post what I expect to happen, self, think positive.

mai mee appeal... do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to jail...

from the other thread:

"This incident happened in the Supreme Court, which is a high court. If the panel believes an offence of violating court's authority was committed and sentences those convicted to imprisonment without suspension of the sentence, the guilty parties cannot appeal the decision."

[hammered]

I wonder if this will delay the cases against Mr. T while he finds new lawyers, or will it be a case of oh they werent really my lawyers.

[sriracha john]

Peeshit... good name for Thaksin's lawyer...

Edited June 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Hopefully they will also be disbarred from ever practicing law again. I dont wish em too long in jail for serving a client in a manner that is not unheard ogf in Thailand but making a professional example of them by never allowing them to practice again would be a good thing.

[Chang_paarp]

Hopefully they will also be disbarred from ever practicing law again. I dont wish em too long in jail for serving a client in a manner that is not unheard ogf in Thailand but making a professional example of them by never allowing them to practice again would be a good thing.

They will be put on someone's payroll until the next election and presto!! Foreign Minister, oh been done before.

[marshbags]

Of course the usual bail and never serving the time is a very good possiblity.

They join a long, long, list of bailed " Puyai " convicted criminals who will never serve their sentences that where handed down to them.

I should imagine in the above case all 3 convicted of the crime will be bailed ???? Irrespective of their station in life.

For F**** sake WHY does such one sided justice still exist ????

Yes, don,t tell me, i know, but it still doesn,t ease my frustrations.

marshbags

Jayjayjay asked the following on a previous thread.

What exact positions do they hold relative to Thaksin? ie is there an official statement that links Thaksin and these lawyers? Is there a court document mentioning their connection with Thaksin? I would like to see in what capacity they have represented Thaksin in previous dealings!

The second person does have connections with Thaksin.

She is his wifes " bag carrier " in C3,s words, they have just informed viewers.

Should now be their " box carrier " as well, i reckon

As per report the third person is not named ???????

marshbags

[frodo]

This is certainly great news. One of the very few cases in recent memory where justice didn't drag its feet. I can only wonder why so many are willing to go down for one man? Three members of the election commission had been jailed for their role in the 2006 election fiasco, and now these three. There are two Thaksin whip boys, Yongyuth and Jakrapob, who are still fighting the legal system, and unlike this case, there is some major feet dragging. Hopefully, they too will go down if eventually found guilty. That would be even greater news in that there would still be hope the "instigator" and his wife could go down as well. Wishful thinking, I know.

[ChiangMaiAmerican]

Of course the usual bail and never serving the time is a very good possiblity.

They join a long, long, list of bailed " Puyai " convicted criminals who will never serve their sentences that where handed down to them.

I should imagine in the above case all 3 convicted of the crime will be bailed ???? Irrespective of their station in life.

For F**** sake WHY does such one sided justice still exist ????

Yes, don,t tell me, i know, but it still doesn,t ease my frustrations.

marshbags

It was the Supreme Court who convicted them. They are already in jail except the one who claimed to have a headache and didn't show. A warrant is out on him.. There is no appeal and no bail. Round two when the police investigate them for the second set of charges (criminal bribery) may go differently but apparently they will serve six months on the current contempt charge.

Edited June 25, 2008 by ChiangMaiAmerican

[ProThaiExpat]

I believe the reporting is flawed. The Supreme Court was holding contempt of court proceedings which usually carry fairly light sentences such a fines or short jail sentences. An apology to the court usually gets a lawyer off of a contempt citation in the West.

Bribery is another matter entirely and must go through the prosecutorial phase and a trial. That is a criminal matter and carries significantly greater penalties. There will be much to cheer about when these three "lackeys" are convicted of their crime.

The Soverign spoke to the judges recently upon their appoitment, telling them they are the bulwark of the democracy and that if they do their job right, the democracy will be saved from the politicians. It looks like they just may well do that in what is the most blatant display of disregard for justice and propriety imaginable.

[sriracha john]

Ex-PM Thaksin's lawyers given jail terms for "sweet-box bribery"

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA) - Thailand's Supreme Court Wednesday handed down six-month jail terms on attempted bribery charges for a lawyer and his aides who had fought a lawsuit on behalf of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his spouse, Pojaman.

Lawyer Pichit Chuenban and his aides, Supasri Srisawat and Thana Tansiri, were sentenced to six-months jail each without suspension of enforcement of the verdict after they had been found attempting to bribe two million baht in cash to a court official on June 10.

Thana, for whom an arrest warrant had already been issued after he had failed to appear in court Wednesday, had offered the Bt 2 million kickback hiddenly offered with 1,000-baht banknotes in a sweet box to M.L. Thitiphong Chompunud in a room inside the Supreme Court compound.

The court clerk -- whom Thana had told that it was only some chocolates inside the bag -- turned down the attempted bribe after he had consulted with his superior at the court.

The Supreme Court, in charge of lawsuits against persons with political status which are currently in proceedings regarding the Bangkok's Ratchadapisek land lawsuit earlier filed against Thaksin and his wife, already notified the police for formal investigation of the bribery case for which the verdict had been delivered in advance.

Vichit Plangsrisakul, a legal adviser to Thaksin, said his boss would likely need a new lawyer to fight the Ratchadapisek lawsuit in court now that Pichit has been given a jail sentence.

[brahmburgers]

this thread should be subtitled; "The Messengers Have Been Shot"

Thaksin continues to be teflon coated.

Also, how about a hero's citation for the guy who blew the whistle?!

......and the two or three who got the sentence, they'll parley and hem and haw and effectively avoid any real time. Lawyers (and doctors) are held in too high esteem in Thailand to ever do any hard time. At most, the proverbial 'slap on the wrist.' ....meanwhile, Kun Thaksin didn't miss a beat, he's still untouchable and prancing around with his billions, and a 'what, me worry? 'Alfred E. Neuman' grin on his face.

[Rajah]

Did they actually go to jail, I mean are they in jail right now? I can't believe it.

[DP25]

6 months is a ridiculously light sentence for attempting to bribe a court. Of course, they were just the henchmen. They need to get Thaksin and cut off the head of the snake.

[Andiamo]

Ex-PM Thaksin's lawyers given jail terms for "sweet-box bribery"

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA) - Thailand's Supreme Court Wednesday handed down six-month jail terms on attempted bribery charges for a lawyer and his aides who had fought a lawsuit on behalf of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his spouse, Pojaman.

Lawyer Pichit Chuenban and his aides, Supasri Srisawat and Thana Tansiri, were sentenced to six-months jail each without suspension of enforcement of the verdict after they had been found attempting to bribe two million baht in cash to a court official on June 10.

Thana, for whom an arrest warrant had already been issued after he had failed to appear in court Wednesday, had offered the Bt 2 million kickback hiddenly offered with 1,000-baht banknotes in a sweet box to M.L. Thitiphong Chompunud in a room inside the Supreme Court compound.

The court clerk -- whom Thana had told that it was only some chocolates inside the bag -- turned down the attempted bribe after he had consulted with his superior at the court.

The Supreme Court, in charge of lawsuits against persons with political status which are currently in proceedings regarding the Bangkok's Ratchadapisek land lawsuit earlier filed against Thaksin and his wife, already notified the police for formal investigation of the bribery case for which the verdict had been delivered in advance.

Vichit Plangsrisakul, a legal adviser to Thaksin, said his boss would likely need a new lawyer to fight the Ratchadapisek lawsuit in court now that Pichit has been given a jail sentence.

Wow, this guy must have been top of his class at Law school

Good on the Supreme Court Judges for a quick and effective resolution to the attempted bribe. Let's hope an example is made for any aditional charges and they get additional heavier sentences....

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's lawyers sentenced six-month in jail for bribery attempt

BANGKOK, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Supreme Court on Wednesday handed down a six-month jail term to each of three lawyers working for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra over a charge of attempted bribery in which a lawyer handed a pastry box filled with cash to a court official on June 10.

The three are lawyer Pichit Chuenban, his assistants Suppasri Srisawasdi and Thana Tansiri.

Supreme Court Vice President Mongkol Thapthiang, who heads a panel investigating the case, said the panel found the three guilty of the bribery charge by handing the pastry box containing two million baht in cash to a court official when they appeared on June 10, representing Thaksin and his wife Pojaman, at the court to report that the couple had returned from a business trip overseas.

The ruling is final and could not be appealed.

The case, branded by local media as the "Pastry Gate," immediately gained much spotlight in the country, when it was revealed that a lawyer then referred to as one who worked for some former politician, on June 10 walked into the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, which handled graft investigations against politicians, filed a writ and handed a pastry box to court officials.

Earlier media reports said when a clerk noticed the cash and asked the lawyer about it, he got the reply: "Divide the money up among yourselves." The cash was then returned to the lawyer under the instruction of a judge.

Earlier Pichit had denied he was the lawyer implicated in the case.

He represented Thaksin and his wife in a case that the ex-premier was alleged of abusing power to help his wife get a plot of land in downtown Bangkok in an government auction at a budget price.

[cclub75]

And then... ?

3 clowns in jail, after a serious blow to the Supreme Court (why the clowns weren't arrested on the spot ?)...

A ridiculous name... pastry gate...

And now people are cheering up... But wait a minute.... those 2 millions in cash were coming from... who ? Certainly not the pocket money of the lawyer himself...

The clowns were the delivery boys. So who gave the order ?

This is what a real and serious investigation should be about ! Absolutly not this surreal story.

And for that matter... it's likely that our frustration... will continue.

[sriracha john]

The whole world is being informed, once again, of Thaksin's criminal ways...

Thai lawyer gets six months in jail for snack box scandal

Bangkok - Thailand's Supreme Court on Wednesday sentenced a lawyer of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and two associates to six months in jail for handing a 'snack box' filled with 2 million baht to a court official.

Phichit Chuenbaan, one of the lawyers assigned to defend Thaksin and his wife Potjaman in a corruption case, was sentenced to six months in jail for 'violating the dignity of the court,' Supreme Court Vice President Moonkol Thapthieng said.

Phichit, his assistant, and a female aide of Potjaman's handed a snack box stuffed with money to a junior Supreme Court official on June 10 with instructions to pass it on to the judge handling the Ratchadaphiset land case.

Thaksin and his wife stand accused of abuse of power for purchasing a plot of land on Ratchadaphiset Road in Bangkok at a state auction in 2003 when Thaksin was still prime minister.

The snack box was opened by court officials, who photographed and documented its contents before passing the cash back to Phichit. The Supreme Court immediately launched an investigation into the alleged bribery attempt that has resulted a quick trial and sentences for Phichit and his two assistants.

The case is one of the few corruption charges against Takshin that has reached the trial stage.

It will not help Thaksin's defense that his key lawyer has been jailed for what looks like attempted bribery of a judge.

Given the blatant nature of the alleged bribery attempt there was speculation in the Thai media that the snack box offering was designed to discredit Supreme Court judges responsible for the sensitive political cases, in order to have them replaced.

Thaksin, a billionaire businessman who used populist policies to win a mass following among Thailand's poor, continues to be a divisive figure in Thailand.

Thousands of anti-Thaksin protestors surrounded Bangkok's Government House last week demanding the resignation of current Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet because they are seen as a proxy government for the Thaksin clique.

At a censure debate against Samak, held Tuesday and Wednesday, opposition politicians repeatedly accused the government of ignoring economic problems in favour of political manoeuvres to bring Thaksin and his allies back to power and to derail some 16 pending corruption cases against the controversial former premier.

- Duetsche Presse-Agentur (DPA)

[nomoretalksin]

Finally some special sweet underground natural paper movements of the Thaksin's family come to light.

I just hope that not only the postmen will be jailed? They need to follow up of course!

Cross my fingers. Justice shall prevail!

Edited June 25, 2008 by nomoretalksin

[Flatouthruthefog]

Supreme Court sentences to six-months in jail lawyer in Pastry Gate

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court sentenced to six months in jail a legal team of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over what is called "the Pastry Gate," in which a supreme court official was given a pastry box filled with Bt2 million in cash.

The team members who each face six months in jail for violating the court's authority are lawyer Pichit Chuenban, coordinator Thana Tansiri and clerk Supasri Srisawat.

Pichit is lawyer of Thaksin on the case that he is alleged of abusing of power in purchasing a plot of land in Ratchadapisek area.

Supreme Court Vice President Mongkol Thapthiang, who heads a panel comprising Supreme Court judge Weeraphol Tangsuwan and Issaret Chairat, investigating the case, said Wednesday the panel found the three guilty of the charge.

The incident is considered grave because it was happened in the high court of the country. Any lawyer who is convicted of the charge cannot cannot work as a lawyer in any court again. The Law Society of Thailand will also have to take legal action against the lawyers.

--The Nation 2008-06-25

If this is indeed an accurate rendition of the text in 'The Nation' then their editor, all the subs and the appropriate reporter should also be in the dock for murdering what we hoped were the last surviving elements of the English language.

I don't mind THE dropping of THE definite article, American style, but everyone connected with this story deserves to hang for their LOUSY sentence construction. In England you lot might scrape through the 11+ but you would certainly never get a GCSE.

If we can't trust your basic English, how can we trust what you are trying to say??

[sriracha john]

Bribe case tarnishes Thai ex-PM

Three lawyers representing the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have been sentenced to six months in jail for trying to bribe court judges. The cash was delivered to the court hidden in a cake box.

The Thai media are calling it "Pastrygate" - and it has left Thaksin with plenty of egg on his face. Thaksin returned from exile this year, but still faces several charges of abuse of power and corruption.

Two weeks ago, two lawyers walked into the Supreme Court, which is hearing a high-profile case against Thaksin and his wife, and left a bag with court officials, telling them to enjoy its contents.

Inside was a cake-box - but instead of a cake, there were bundles of cash, worth around £30,500.

Suspicion immediately fell on Thaksin's lawyers - but they insisted such a crude attempt at bribery was beneath them. More likely, they said, it was intended to discredit Thaksin.

But, after a two-week investigation, the Supreme Court has found otherwise - it has sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court. Which leaves Thaksin with a weakened defence team and a tarnished image.

The case against him is pivotal to his future. It concerns an alleged illegal land purchase by his wife while he was in office. If found guilty they could both be jailed, and his prospects for a political comeback would look dim.

The government, now led by his allies, has tried to amend the new constitution, in the hope of weakening the momentum behind the cases against Thaksin - but has been forced to back down.

The new charter gives much greater power to Thailand's top courts - leading some Thais to argue that the judiciary now risks being embroiled in the long-running political contest between Thaksin and his opponents.

- BBC

Edited June 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

In true Thaksin-ish style, the bribery attempt was all just an "honest mistake"... marvelous the court's aren't buying into this lamest of possible excuses this time...

In true Thaksin-ish style (Part II), a Thaksin lawyer proclaims he has health problems and asked for a delay... which the courts again didn't buy into that BS either this time...

Peeshit is escorted out of the Supreme Court after sentencing

Thaksin's lawyers imprisoned

Thaksin's legal team hit over 2 Million Baht 'gift'

The Supreme Court yesterday sentenced three attorneys for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman to six months in prison for attempted bribery.

The court ruled that the three had conspired to undermine the judiciary's reputation and integrity by stashing Bt2 million in cash in a snack box handed to a court official on June 10. According to the presiding judge at yesterday's trial, the bribery attempt was "a serious matter" and "grave" action that insulted the highest court.

It was also likely have a "repercussion" on the on-going trial involving Thaksin and his wife in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase, in which the ex-premier is accused of abusing his power while in office for a sweetheart deal with the government.

Thana Tansiri, the lawyer who delivered the snack box stashed with 1,000 baht notes worth around 2 Million Baht, was not present at yesterday's sentencing. He had asked for a trial postponement, claiming health reasons, but the judges dismissed the request on grounds that his health problems didn't appear to be serious.

The court then ordered police to issue an arrest warrant for the lawyer.

The two other convicted lawyers were Pichit Chuenban and Suphasri Sriswat.

"I'm certain [of my innocence]," said Pichit, head of the legal team. Pichit said he didn't know why Thana, who is on his team, did not show up.

Thana was found guilty of trying to bribe ML Thitipong Chompoonuch, a legal officer at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, and his colleagues by handing the paper bag containing the snack box stuffed with some Bt2 million in cash.

According to the presiding judge, who read out the verdict, Thana told Thitipong: "These days I have to come [to the court] often and I feel sorry for the officials who have to work hard, so I have something for you people."

Thana had argued in his earlier testimony that it was a mistake, as his driver got the wrong box for him to deliver to the court official.

The "wrong" box contained money intended for a land purchase, while Thana's wife was said to have filled another bag with chocolate candy.

However, the judges ruled the argument unlikely, saying that if Thana really intended to give chocolate he could have done it in the open in the presence of other officials, not privately with Thitipong alone.

According to the judges, Thana didn't mention any other "chocolate bag" while court staff took photographs of the snack box filled with cash. *but he didn't think of the excuse until later, so how could he mention it then?*

The court believed Pichit and Suphasri were also "working closely" with Thana as all of them appeared at the court on that day. "They kept talking to one another prior to Thaksin's and Pojaman's arrival at the court, and thus they must be regarded as one team."

When Pichit learned about the return of the snack box, he only made a phone call to Thitipong to apologise and didn't appear to have reprimanded Thana. "It shows that they collaborated with one another ... were aware [of the matter] and divided their role in this attempted bribery," the court said.

- The Nation

Edited June 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[bulmercke]

Of course the usual bail and never serving the time is a very good possiblity.

They join a long, long, list of bailed " Puyai " convicted criminals who will never serve their sentences that where handed down to them.

I should imagine in the above case all 3 convicted of the crime will be bailed ???? Irrespective of their station in life.

For F**** sake WHY does such one sided justice still exist ????

Yes, don,t tell me, i know, but it still doesn,t ease my frustrations.

marshbags

Jayjayjay asked the following on a previous thread.

What exact positions do they hold relative to Thaksin? ie is there an official statement that links Thaksin and these lawyers? Is there a court document mentioning their connection with Thaksin? I would like to see in what capacity they have represented Thaksin in previous dealings!

The second person does have connections with Thaksin.

She is his wifes " bag carrier " in C3,s words, they have just informed viewers.

Should now be their " box carrier " as well, i reckon

As per report the third person is not named ???????

marshbags

Seconded. Could the blatant and unashamed corruption that exists in this country be more obvious than this?

Personally - I think my time here is numbered.

Edited June 25, 2008 by bulmercke

[Tony Clifton]

I love it when this kind of news pops up abroad, I bet his morning boiled rice turns sour over there in the UK.

Now, when will someone dig a little deeper into his PhD and add to what we already know? It`s about time that one is made public and shows the world the fraud that he is.