27-6-2023 (BANGKOK) The Office of the Judiciary has announced the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate a serious allegation made by a core member of the former People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). The accusation claims that two senior judges from the Court of Appeal demanded a bribe of 175 million baht to clear him of all charges related to the street rallies against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2013-2014.
The Judiciary spokesperson, Sorawit Limparangsi, released a statement on June 26 stating that the inquiry panel was established by order of Chuchai Wiriyasunthornwong, the president of the Appeal Court. This decision was prompted by a report from the Isara news agency.
According to Isara, in early June, Chotiwat Luangprasert, the Supreme Court president, issued an order to create a committee to investigate a petition for justice filed with the Court of Justice by a core member of the PDRC. The petition was in reference to the Criminal Court’s ruling on February 24, 2021, which found 39 PDRC members, including Suthep Thaugsuban, guilty of rebellion and other offenses related to the street rallies.
The unnamed petitioner claimed that during the court’s consideration of the case, two high-ranking judges from the Appeal Court demanded a significant sum of money from him. They allegedly promised to use their influence with a panel of judges close to a “higher-up” to clear him of all charges, thus avoiding the need to escalate the case to the Supreme Court. Initially, the judges demanded 175 million baht, but the amount was later reduced to 49 million baht and then 35 million baht in subsequent negotiations. The petitioner stated that the judges requested the payment to be made by September 30, 2022, before the retirement of the “higher-up.”
Sorawit clarified that the committee was established by the president of the Appeal Court, not the Supreme Court as previously reported. The investigation findings will be reported to the Supreme Court president in accordance with official procedures.
The case in question involves 39 PDRC members who faced charges of rebellion under Section 91 of the Criminal Code, along with other offenses. The Criminal Court sentenced 15 members to imprisonment without suspension, while 12 received suspended jail terms, and the remaining 12 were acquitted.
