Bt2m 'gift box': watch this space

Why it took so long will only be known to the Supreme Court itself as the information disclosed on Wednesday could have been checked and reconfirmed in five days. Let's recap the unfolding saga that could go a long way to shape the course of Thai politics.

What charges actually were laid by the Supreme Court against the three lawyers of Thaksin and his wife?

The three received 6-month jail sentences for contempt of court. They were not jailed for "bribing" court officials, a case which the court has asked the police to pursue. Bribery carries a maximum five years in jail.

How is this going to affect Thaksin and the Ratchadaphisek land case?

Legal experts say the chances of Thaksin being implicated in the alleged bribery were "50-50". Yes, there are arguments that no lawyer would have unilaterally carried out such an action without his client's knowledge. This means unless there is proof "beyond reasonable doubt" Thaksin was behind the alleged bribery, he is likely to go free.

Should Thaksin press charges against the trio for defaming him or undermining his legal prospects in the Ratchadaphisek land case?

Common sense dictates he should, or he will risk looking guilty as sin. But according to the experts, suing the three could backfire. Imagine these two statements in a Thaksin-sues-his-lawyers trial:

A) Your Honour, it was never my money. The three suspects took their own money and tried to bribe court officials without my knowledge out of a silly hope it could help us win the case.

B) Your Honour, it was the plaintiff's money pure and simple. We didn't have that much money and you can check our bank accounts. Most of all, it wasn't us who could be going to jail in the Ratchadaphisek land case.

In short, Thaksin would invite trouble by pressing charges. Why do so, especially now that the trio have accepted they possessed the money and it was a case of taking the wrong bag to the court? Although the chocolate-box story sounds very unbelievable, Thaksin would rather have them stick to this tale than change it.

Will the trio change their pleas of not guilty to the bribery charges?

This is the most interesting point. We will have to wait and see what threats of a much longer jail term can do. Thaksin must be holding his breath now.

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