Sondhi Jailed Two Years, Fined Bt200,000 For Defaming Gen Mongkol

[AleG]

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

You do know there´s a TV rule about posting false information, do you?

The Supreme Court "sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court"

And your argument that Thaksin´s lawyers bribe was actually meant to be for some other case being handled by the court at the time is beyond ridiculous.

I´d be fascinated to know were you take your facts from.

Edited August 12, 2012 by AleG

[AleG]

DP....

Edited August 12, 2012 by AleG

[Babcock]

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

You do know there´s a TV rule about posting false information, do you?

The Supreme Court "sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court"

And your argument that Thaksin´s lawyers bribe was actually meant to be for some other case being handled by the court at the time is beyond ridiculous.

I´d be fascinated to know were you take your facts from.

You've just got to read this:

http://slimdogsworld.blogspot.com/2009/06/pastrygate.html

It started out as an intriguing little tidbit, when it was mentioned in a newspaper that a lawyer

representing a "Big-Time Politician" was rumoured to have tried to have given a gift of 2 million baht

to the office of the Supreme Court. The money was evidently placed inside a box of pastries, and

Pastrygate was the term used for what was suspected as being an attempted bribe.

It all started on June 11th 2008 when the following was printed in The Nation:

Supreme Court president orders probe into report that Bt2 million given to court officials

Supreme Court President Wiraj Limwichai has ordered an investigation into a report that a lawyer put

Bt2 million in a candy box and gave it to certain officials of the Supreme Court.

Sarawut Benjakul, deputy secretary-general of the Justice Affairs Office, said Wednesday that Wiraj

appointed a committee of three judges to investigate the report.

Sarawut said he learnt that the court officials had returned the money to the lawyer.

No mention of who was involved, but at the time there were three very high profile cases shortly to

commence trial with the Supreme Court. Thaksin Shinawatra, and Watana Asavahame were due before the

Supreme Court Criminal division for Political office holders and Yongyudh Tiyaphairat was due before

the Supreme Court on a charge of violating the Election Act.

What was surprising about this case was that according to the Supreme Court, once the money was

discovered, it was photographed and then returned to the lawyer. It was only after the news was leaked,

that the President of the Supreme Court,Wiraj Limwichai ordered a full inquiry.

June 10th 2008, Lawyers representing Thaksin and Pojaman Shinawatra go to the Supreme Court to file a

request to appear at the Court. Later on the same day, the President of the Supreme Court appoints a

panel to investigate a possible bribery attempt.

June 13th 2008, Seven court officials involved with the incident give formal testimony to the Supreme

Court Panel

June 14th 2008, Preliminary findings by Supreme Court justices Mongkol Thapthiang, Weeraphol Tangsuwan

and Issaret Chairat indicated that the money was intended not for Judges but for the office staff at

the Supreme Court. The lawyer was summoned to appear before the investigating panel.

June 17th 2008, It had emerged that Thana Tansiri, a legal representative of Thaksin Shinawatra was

being implicated. Thana, when interviewed by the Investigation Panel tried to pass the incident off as

a case of his driver giving him the wrong bag, one with 2 million baht as opposed to a similar one with

pastries in.

June 19th 2008, Pichit Cheunban testifies to the Supreme Court Panel, denying any knowledge of the

incident, although he does concede that he was present at the Supreme Court building that day

June 25th 2008, Three lawyers who represented Thaksin Shinawatra, Pichit Cheunban (พิชิฏ ชื่นบาน), Thana Tansiri

(ธนา ตันศิร) and Supasri Srisawat (ศุภศรี ศรีสวัสด) were sentenced to 6 months in jail for violating court authority.

Only Phichit and Supasri were present at the hearing and both were taken immediately to jail, and an

arrest warrant was issued for Thana. Thana is married to Pojaman's cousin.

June 26th 2008, The Supreme Court requested that criminal charges be filed against the three lawyers

under article 144 of the criminal code (bribery of state officials).This charge carries a maximum of 5

years imprisonment. Thaksin and Pojaman Shinawatra appointed Anek Khamchum as the lead lawyer and

former senator Kamnuan Chaloptham as their legal representatives.

June 27th 2008, The Law Society of Thailand (LST) announced that they would set up a panel with the

possibility of delisting the three lawyers.

June 29th 2008, Preliminary hearings of the Ratchada-Phisek case started at the Supreme Court, where

witnesses, evidence and court schedule were decided.

June 30th 2008, The police were already announcing that there was probably insufficient evidence to

proceed with the criminal charges. On the same day Thana Tansiri was finally taken to jail, after

having been located at Bumrungrad hospital, Bangkok.

December 23rd 2008, the three lawyers were released from Prison, when the Police announced that there

was not enough evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution. The police decision was made 2 weeks

prior to the three lawyer’s release, but the case was handed over to a public prosecutors' team, who

have made no announcement, but made no objections to the three being released.

As with many things surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra, this case revealed very few answers, but left lots

of unanswered questions. Throughout the period, Thaksin denied any involvement in the case.

December 9th 2009, Lawyers Pichit Chuenban, Supasri Srisawat and Thana Tansiri were banned by the

lawyers council of Thailand for violating the councils regulations and code of conduct. Each received a

five year ban.

July 22rd 2011, Pichit Chuenban was endorsed by the Election Commission of Thailand and became a Member

of Parliament, having stood as a party list candidate for the Pheu Thai party.

The evidence read out by the judge was all hearsay.

The evidence (the money)was not kept but handed back.

Here's a great quote from the time (contemporaneous)from Real life Thailand:

It all started on June 11th 2008 when the following was printed in The Nation:

Supreme Court president orders probe into report that Bt2 million given to court officials

Supreme Court President Wiraj Limwichai has ordered an investigation into a report that a lawyer put Bt2 million in a candy box and gave it to certain officials of the Supreme Court.

Sarawut Benjakul, deputy secretary-general of the Justice Affairs Office, said Wednesday that Wiraj appointed a committee of three judges to investigate the report.

Sarawut said he learnt that the court officials had returned the money to the lawyer.

ThaiCrisis said...

Indeed, it's surreal.

The "Pastrygate", ah ah ah, it's really too much.

What do you suggest ? They felt into a trap ?

I've got another hypothesis.

The whole story is Smoke and mirrors.

I mean the first... glitch was the fact that the delivery boys (the lawyers) weren't arrested on the spot.

Then, yes the amount is ridiculous. I mean... we are talking about Supreme Court here ! 2 millions would be for the secretary or the phone girl. ;-)

Then, now, look at the mass media hysteria ! In jail.

The people of PAD, and all anti-Thaksin are cheering up.

But wait a minute... who cares to send the delivery boy in jail ?

Who gave them the money ? That should be the point of any real and serious investigation.

I stick to my idea : the whole story is to entertain the masses.

But it's fundamentally bullshit.

[Babcock]

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

You do know there´s a TV rule about posting false information, do you?

The Supreme Court "sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court"

And your argument that Thaksin´s lawyers bribe was actually meant to be for some other case being handled by the court at the time is beyond ridiculous.

I´d be fascinated to know were you take your facts from.

Yes I too have the BBC quote from Jonathan Head (2 LM charges against him, had to flee Thailand because Thaksin "bought the BBC")

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7473641.stm

rom the BBC 25th June 2008 Jonathan Head wrote:

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 Mr Thaksin with plenty of egg on his face.

Mr Thaksin, who was ousted by a military coup, 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 Mr 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 $60,000 (£30,500).

Suspicion immediately fell on Mr Thaksin's lawyers - but they insisted such a crude attempt at bribery was beneath them. More likely, they said, it was intended to discredit Mr 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 Mr Thaksin with a weakened defence team and a tarnished image.

I'd like to quote ablogger from the Guardian (contemporaneous)

4th september 2008 The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/03/thailand.manchestercity

ThaiCitizen

4 September 2008 11:50AM

Dear Mr. Fawthrop,

I am not defending Thaksin. However, I think those cases are political. For example, the recent verdicts on Thaksin wife is un-constitutional . His wife transferred some amount of her shares to one of her trusted relative and her trusted secretary as gifts. There is 'no' any profit made from the transaction. This ruling confuses some people who plan to give assets to their relatives. From now on, will it be lawful? Moreover, the transaction was done 'before' Thaksin took office. Court, however, sentenced his wife to the maximum penalty allowed based on the reason that

She was the wife of the 'would be' country prime minister.

Constitution does not allow courts to discriminate based on the status of the defender. How can she get 3 years jail sentence while others just got fined ?

The land deal is another bogus attempt. Every witness testified that Thaksin family never contacted any authorities before the bidding. And his family bought the land at the higher price than the market value.

The Shin-Corp deal is even funnier. Law does not tax any sale transaction on stock market. This law is very old. The purpose is to pull the savings into capital market. End up, he is the only one being charged based on moral ground not from legal stand point. I do not think he ever dream that this legitimate transaction could become a political case. I am an investor. I become confused on this double standard.

There are more if you want to hear. We, Thai is fixing the problem. Please look into details before making judgment.

I think Thaicitizen puts it most succinctly.

The facts are the lawyers went to prison following a 2 week hearing with only hearsay evidence.

The lawyer supposedly responsible disappeared but eventually was found holed up at Bumrungrad.

Charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.

They were all struck off for 5 years.

One of them subsequently has become a Pheu Thai MP.

There's a brilliant novel somewhere in all this.

[tomross46]

When will the police arrest the persons that ambused and tried to kill Sondhi. The killers used AK47, M16 and M79, but the police have not been able to solve the case. They could not be black shirts, because PM Chalerm has told us that they are police.

[Babcock]

whoever they were all the CCTV cameras viewing the scen were inoperable/disconnected.

An amazing number of bullets were fired into the car yet Sondhi was relatively unharmed ( a bullet grazed his head quite badly) but his driver was seriously injured but by a ricochet.

I think it was a setup but by whom for whom remains the question.

I think he had something to do with it himself.

[Buchholz]

All that would be so much more plausible had Thaksin not stated throughout the whole court case against him that he believed in the justice system and would accept whatever their verdict was; would be so much more plausible had he not waited until he was found guilty to suddenly decide there was a conspiracy against him; would be so much more plausible had it not been his own party in power at the time; would be so much more plausible had it been the other side stuffing millions of baht in a box to pass on to the judges, to try and ensure a guilty verdict against him, not the other way round, as it was, him stuffing millions of baht in a box to pass on to the judges, to try and ensure a not guilty verdict; would be so much more plausible had he appealed the conviction; would be so much more plausible had he ever come out with evidence against the verdict and a proclamation of innocence - he never declares his innocence and his lawyers never speak of evidence that they have to clear his name.

On the one side there is a mountain of reasons to suggest his trial was fair, and on the other, there are fanatics that will never be able to accept guilt in what he has done, and always look for excuses.

Agree, he thought he could bribe the judges but he was wrong.

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

Ok, this is "not" a photo of someone who is "not" Thaksin's lawyer and who is "not" wearing handcuffs as he is "not" being led to jail after he was "not" convicted at a trial that "never" occurred.

June 26, 2008

The Supreme Court sentenced three key members of the legal team of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to six months in prison each yesterday over the 2 Million Baht snack box incident. Lead lawyer Pichit Chuenban, legal assistant Supasri Srisawat, and the coordinator of the legal team, Thana Tansiri, were all found guilty.

.

[Buchholz]

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

You do know there´s a TV rule about posting false information, do you?

The Supreme Court "sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court"

And your argument that Thaksin´s lawyers bribe was actually meant to be for some other case being handled by the court at the time is beyond ridiculous.

I´d be fascinated to know were you take your facts from.

You've just got to read this:

http://slimdogsworld...pastrygate.html

Who is the author of this?

Pichit?

.

[rubl]

Well, since this is on being jailed may I just add

"Lawyer for ex-Thailand PM jailed for bribery attempt"

http://jurist.org/pa...-jailed-for.php

"Thaksin's "pastry bag" lawyers banned"

http://www.nationmul...cs_30111902.php

By now lead lawyer Pichit Chuenban is Pheu Thai party list MP

[rubl]

whoever they were all the CCTV cameras viewing the scen were inoperable/disconnected.

An amazing number of bullets were fired into the car yet Sondhi was relatively unharmed ( a bullet grazed his head quite badly) but his driver was seriously injured but by a ricochet.

I think it was a setup but by whom for whom remains the question.

I think he had something to do with it himself.

'relatively unharmed'? There is no such thing especially when talking about head wounds.

Well at least you wrote "I think", that makes the post permissible

[Buchholz]

whoever they were all the CCTV cameras viewing the scen were inoperable/disconnected.

An amazing number of bullets were fired into the car yet Sondhi was relatively unharmed ( a bullet grazed his head quite badly) but his driver was seriously injured but by a ricochet.

I think it was a setup but by whom for whom remains the question.

I think he had something to do with it himself.

If he orchestrated it himself, then he should get some sort of an award for having gone through this just in the name of orchestrated theatrics

a millimeter or two either way and he's splattered like Sae Daeng

[Babcock]

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

You do know there´s a TV rule about posting false information, do you?

The Supreme Court "sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court"

And your argument that Thaksin´s lawyers bribe was actually meant to be for some other case being handled by the court at the time is beyond ridiculous.

I´d be fascinated to know were you take your facts from.

You've just got to read this:

http://slimdogsworld...pastrygate.html

Who is the author of this?

Pichit?

.

I think it's safe to say it's not endorsed by the Nation.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255407220001

EC certifies 32 more MPs, 6 are UDD leaders

BANGKOK, 22 July 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has endorsed the MP status for another 32 MP-elects, six of whom are core leaders of the red-shirt group, while more MPs are expected to be certified later today.

Yesterday, the EC held its third meeting to deliberate on the MP status of elected MPs, during which the commission agreed to give approval to a total of 32 more people, comprising 26 constituency MPs and 6 party-list MPs.

All of the newly certified party-list MPs are core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) under the banner of the Pheu Thai Party. They consist of Mr Korkaew Pikulthong, MD Weng Tojirakarn, Colonel Apiwan Wiriyachai, Mr Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Mr Wichien Khaokham and Mr Pichit Chuenban.

Other UDD core figures whose MP status is still pending the EC’s endorsement include Mr Natthawut Saikua, Mr Jatuporn Prompan and Mr Payap Panket. Outspoken Pheu Thai MP-elect for Bangkok’s Constituency 12 Karun Hosakul is also awaiting his certification due to a flood of complaints against him.

The EC is scheduled to proceed with its consideration process later today. So far, the commission has endorsed the MP status for 402 MPs, which is still less than 95 percent of the quorum or 475 MPs; therefore, the parliamentary session cannot be commenced yet.

Well I've read the full report and it's a fascinating read.

I would have thought that if you are convicted and sent to prison you cannot stand as an MP.

[Babcock]

whoever they were all the CCTV cameras viewing the scen were inoperable/disconnected.

An amazing number of bullets were fired into the car yet Sondhi was relatively unharmed ( a bullet grazed his head quite badly) but his driver was seriously injured but by a ricochet.

I think it was a setup but by whom for whom remains the question.

I think he had something to do with it himself.

If he orchestrated it himself, then he should get some sort of an award for having gone through this just in the name of orchestrated theatrics

a millimeter or two either way and he's splattered like Sae Daeng

Well the initial wound is the one with 4 stitches isn't it?

That's what we saw initially.

However there was a bullet lodged in there wasn't there or shrapnel and my guess is they have had to make the long incision to remove the foreign item.

So it looks dramatic but it's his driver who was more seriously injured.

Why don't you post a picture of the bullet riddled car just to remind us how narrowly he apparently missed death.

Was it 70 bullets in the car or was it 200?

[Buchholz]

You do know there´s a TV rule about posting false information, do you?

The Supreme Court "sentenced the former prime minister's chief lawyer and two assistants to six months in jail for contempt of court"

And your argument that Thaksin´s lawyers bribe was actually meant to be for some other case being handled by the court at the time is beyond ridiculous.

I´d be fascinated to know were you take your facts from.

You've just got to read this:

http://slimdogsworld...pastrygate.html

Who is the author of this?

Pichit?

.

I think it's safe to say it's not endorsed by the Nation.

So we don't know, but it could be.

.

[Buchholz]

whoever they were all the CCTV cameras viewing the scen were inoperable/disconnected.

An amazing number of bullets were fired into the car yet Sondhi was relatively unharmed ( a bullet grazed his head quite badly) but his driver was seriously injured but by a ricochet.

I think it was a setup but by whom for whom remains the question.

I think he had something to do with it himself.

If he orchestrated it himself, then he should get some sort of an award for having gone through this just in the name of orchestrated theatrics

a millimeter or two either way and he's splattered like Sae Daeng

Well the initial wound is the one with 4 stitches isn't it?

That's what we saw initially.

However there was a bullet lodged in there wasn't there or shrapnel and my guess is they have had to make the long incision to remove the foreign item.

So it looks dramatic but it's his driver who was more seriously injured.

Why don't you post a picture of the bullet riddled car just to remind us how narrowly he apparently missed death.

Was it 70 bullets in the car or was it 200?

It looks dramatic, because it was dramatic. Anytime someone is shot in the head, it's dramatic.

I don't think he orchestrated it.

Far too risky to have bullets flying all around.

If one is going to fake an assassination, it's better to have a car, loaded with explosives but none of them connected, drive around your neighborhood without anything actually happening.

.

Edited August 12, 2012 by Buchholz

[Babcock]

whoever they were all the CCTV cameras viewing the scen were inoperable/disconnected.

An amazing number of bullets were fired into the car yet Sondhi was relatively unharmed ( a bullet grazed his head quite badly) but his driver was seriously injured but by a ricochet.

I think it was a setup but by whom for whom remains the question.

I think he had something to do with it himself.

If he orchestrated it himself, then he should get some sort of an award for having gone through this just in the name of orchestrated theatrics

a millimeter or two either way and he's splattered like Sae Daeng

Well the initial wound is the one with 4 stitches isn't it?

That's what we saw initially.

However there was a bullet lodged in there wasn't there or shrapnel and my guess is they have had to make the long incision to remove the foreign item.

So it looks dramatic but it's his driver who was more seriously injured.

Why don't you post a picture of the bullet riddled car just to remind us how narrowly he apparently missed death.

Was it 70 bullets in the car or was it 200?

It looks dramatic, because it was dramatic. Anytime someone is shot in the head, it's dramatic.

I don't think he orchestrated it.

Far too risky to have bullets flying all around.

If one is going to fake an assassination, it's better to have a car, loaded with explosives but none of them connected, drive around your neighborhood without anything actually happening.

.

That's not true either.

It's funny this story.

Like children they had to embelish the lie.

I mean you (the other paper) accuse Thaksin of orchestrating the bomb plot against him but then you have to go further and then say much later after the coup that there were no detonators so the bomb couldn't explode anyway.

So the detonators had beeen spirited away.

Yet those arrested were no friends of Thaksin.

One of them used to be the driver for General Panlop Pinmanee, deputy director of Internal Security Operatons Command (ISOC), responsible for the Tak Bai mosque incident. He contravened orders to negotiate and stormed the temple. He wrote a book about it justifying his actions.

He fell out with the government.

The car had spent the night at the ISOC headquarters.

The car had been bought the preceeding day at a car auction.

Where and when was the bomb made?

Any guesses?

The truth was Thaskin left his house at 6am and the car with the explosives bombers was driving back and forth impatiently in front of his house at or near 8 am and security became suspicious and followed the car down the street to where it parked and searched it..

2 months later there was a coup.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/takbai/p2.htm

[Nickymaster]

If someone is unable to obtain a fair trial and is subject to a dangerous environment ith his personal safety at stake , it makes sense to leave until the situation has calmed. If there is a political goal at stake, then there are valid reasons to continue the struggle elsewhere. Better to be alive and functioning than to be dead.

All that would be so much more plausible had Thaksin not stated throughout the whole court case against him that he believed in the justice system and would accept whatever their verdict was; would be so much more plausible had he not waited until he was found guilty to suddenly decide there was a conspiracy against him; would be so much more plausible had it not been his own party in power at the time; would be so much more plausible had it been the other side stuffing millions of baht in a box to pass on to the judges, to try and ensure a guilty verdict against him, not the other way round, as it was, him stuffing millions of baht in a box to pass on to the judges, to try and ensure a not guilty verdict; would be so much more plausible had he appealed the conviction; would be so much more plausible had he ever come out with evidence against the verdict and a proclamation of innocence - he never declares his innocence and his lawyers never speak of evidence that they have to clear his name.

On the one side there is a mountain of reasons to suggest his trial was fair, and on the other, there are fanatics that will never be able to accept guilt in what he has done, and always look for excuses.

Agree, he thought he could bribe the judges but he was wrong.

I'd like to see the evidence of the attempt to bribe court officials.

As I understand it the "cake box" story broke in the nation, nowhere else that day.

There were 3 trials taking place and it was assumed the thaksin case was the culprit.

No charges were ever laid against thaksin's lawyers though they were held without charge for 6 months.

A rather unusual trial don't you think?

You are soo wrong. Thaksin's lawyers were jailed for this issue. Clearly show that you have NO idea what your are talking about.

http://www.economist.com/node/17472738

http://news.bbc.co.u...fic/7473641.stm

There are a dozen more web-sites confirming that his lawyers were jailed. You didn't even take the time to google this topic...

UPDATE:

After reading all the posts I see that you already know that they were charged.

Edited August 13, 2012 by Nickymaster