Officers clarify how the prosecution handled the case from 2008 and how it connected to the former prime minister Srettha’s ouster
PUBLISHED: 15 Aug 2024 at 20: 38
Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former attorney-general and prime ministerial candidate of the governing Pheu Thai Party, had no part in a 2008 decision not to indict Pichit Chuenban on a court bribery charge, according to the Office of the Attorney-General ( OAG ).
On Thursday, OAG officials responded to inquiries regarding the cases involving Pichit, whose new visit to the cupboard led to Srettha Thavisin losing her position as prime minister this week.
Pichit and two additional attorneys were charged with trying to bribe the Supreme Court, which was looking into a situation involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2008. Thaksin was charged with wrongdoing in 2003 for helping his then-wife, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, secure some excellent territory on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok at a discount.
The three attorneys representing Thaksin in the case were discovered trying to bribe Supreme Court officers by handing them a paper case containing 2 million baht in money.
The officers who were looking into the event determined that there was not enough evidence to support their recommendation to the prosecution. Eventually, the OAG agreed never to prosecute the group on bribery-related charges.
However, the Supreme Court found the attorneys guilty of contempt of court in connection with the alleged corruption on a separate command. They each received a six-month sentence in prison for acting badly on the court’s grounds.
With Mr Srettha removed as prime minister, Mr Chaikasem, one of two remaining perfect governmental prospects on the Pheu Thai record, was immediately speculated as a possible successor. As it turned out, the group on Thursday chose Thaksin’s child Paetongtarn otherwise. On Friday, the House will voting on her candidacy.
When the Pichit case was brought to light, Mr. Chaikasem’s position at the OAG resurrected, sparking public interest.
As it turned out, Kayasit Pissawongprakan, next the director-general of the Department of Criminal Litigation, signed off on the determination never to prosecute, said OAG official Prayuth Phetkhun.
Mr. Kayasit was acting in accordance with a no-indictment proposal made to the OAG by the Chana Songkhram officers, who were in command of the corruption investigation.
Mr. Prayuth said on Thursday that the police squad did not find any evidence that the three attorneys had allegedly committed the corruption crime.
The prosecutors ‘ group, which was looking at the police report, concurred with the no-indictment advice and suggested that Mr. Kayasit avoid going to court. Mr Kayasit agreed, according to Mr Prayuth.
The prosecution ‘ refusal to file an accusation amounted to no issue to the Royal Thai Police.
It is misleading that Mr Chaikasem, who was attorney-general at the time, ordered the three attorneys not to be indicted, he added.