Pratheep Muangkaew yesterday claimed he was unaware of the men's suspected illegal activities or criminal records before doing paperwork for them.

He was held in custody last week but later released on bail of Bt300,000.

Pratheep said he thought all foreign residents on the island had been screened for their legal status and legitimacy.

He claimed all land-purchase deals he helped mediate were officially notarised by his lawyers. Pratheep, a former associate judge in labour dispute cases, said the accusations had damaged his reputation even though he did not accept the criminal conspiracy charge filed against him by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

The DSI is taking action against three foreign men - a Briton and two Danes - who are alleged to be members of the "Bandidos" motorcycle gang and involved in criminal activities, including illegal land deals.

Pratheep claimed he had secured all land-ownership documents legally, and that if there was any dispute over the ownership, it was not his fault.