Thaksin says he's ready to testify

Thaksin in this file photo taken in Hong Kong last year.

Ousted PM Thaksin Shina-watra insists he's innocent and has nothing to do with the Bt2-million bribery scandal that's seen three of his lawyers put behind bars for six months for contempt of court.

Personal spokesman Pong-thep Thepkanchana says Thaksin regrets the incident, and will testify if required.

"There's no benefit for Thaksin in doing this. To give money to an administrative officer doesn't benefit Thaksin. The officer is not a judge who can deliver a verdict in Thak-sin's case," Pongthep says.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court jailed Pichit Chuenban, Suphasri Srisawat and Thana Tansiri for six months for contempt of court. The three defendants are members of Thaksin and wife Pojaman's defence team. The couple will commence fighting corruption charges stemming from a controversial Ratchadaphisek land deal on Tuesday.

The three lawyers were found by the court to have given an official Bt2 million stashed in a snack bag. The money was said to have been handed over while a lawyer was arranging the Shinawatras' next court appearances following an overseas trip.

Supreme Court spokesman Saravuth Benjakul says the court has now made an official complaint of bribery against the three lawyers.

"Police will have to find out where the money came from," he says.

Pichit: If I did it I wouldn't complain

Pichit and Suphasri were taken immediately to prison on Wednesday. Thana, who is married to a cousin of Pojaman, was not in court because he was ill. He's now under police watch at Bumrung- rad Hospital, where he admitted himself. He is banned from leaving the country.

Pichit, a lawyer for 30 years, told relatives and friends who visited him yesterday morning he is depressed and cannot sleep.

A relative told reporters Pichit is wearing a prison uniform - light blue shirt and blue pants - and appears sad. His visitors were in tears, too.

"He says: 'It is not fair to me. If I really did it, I would not complain'," the relative reports.

Suphasri, who has been jailed in the Central Prison for Women, is reportedly sick from stress. She is being attended by a prison psychiatrist.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon wants the government to ensure there's no attempt to interfere in the bribery investigation and prosecution.

"Thaksin can't deny involvement because the three work directly for him," Ong-art says.