The court is due to rule today on the pair and 14 others who rallied outside the court, either as supporters or opponents of the convicted commissioners.

In a hearing yesterday, Suchada Ruamsilp, an unemployed woman, said she joined the rally in support of the commissioners at her own accord.

Suchada told the court she lost control and scolded Chat Thai Party executive Chuwit Kamolvisit after she saw him carrying fried rice and iced coffee for the commissioners.

Chuwit's action was an insult, she said, adding that she directed her verbal attacks at him and his party, not the court.

Activist Sathien Wiphromha said he tried to pacify the angry crowd and had no intention to stir up any disturbance.

Sathien said that while he had expressed his views, his comments were not meant

as disrespect for the court.

Chuwit testified in the court on Tuesday. He will also attend today's contempt rulings.

Meanwhile, the Isaan People's Network for Protection of the Constitution issued a statement calling for the "masterminds" behind the rally to support the commissioners to come forward and provide a legal defence against the contempt of court charges.

In other proceedings yesterday, the Criminal Court assigned official Somboon Chuayraksa to lodge a police complaint accusing lawyer Thana Benjathikul of contempt after he criticised the guilty verdict against the three commissioners.

Thana is the lead counsel for caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in myriad lawsuits filed against government opponents. The court suspects Thana's comments were not honest legal opinion on the matter and wants police to launch an investigation, as per Article 198 of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, Thana faces a jail term of between one and seven years and a fine of up to Bt20,000.

The Crime Suppression Division has jurisdiction over Thana's contempt case.