Pastrygate!

Top Supreme Court Justice Kriengchai Jungchatupit says he would have arrested the lawyer suspected by many of attempting to bribe judges "on the spot".

The head of the court's division hearing cases against political-office holders says if he had been there at the time the alleged bribe was "left", the suspect would be behind bars.

"If I was there, I would have arrested him on the spot," says Kriengchai.

"I would not have let him take the money back. I would have charged him with contempt.

"I have learned that the person who brought the money to the court was arguing a case before the court earlier."

At lunchtime on Tuesday, a lawyer, believed to represent a politician, left a parcel of pastries filled with Bt2 million in banknotes with a senior court as he submitted court documents.

The parcel and cash were photographed and returned to the lawyer.

"I was surprised the lawyer dared give Bt2 million to a court official," Kriengchai says. "That's a lot of money. When the official looked inside the box, he was shocked. He called a judge who was passing by."

An ongoing probe

Three senior judges are investigating the incident. There is no word as to when they will reach a conclusion.

Meanwhile, Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul wants the court to declare exactly what transpired. She says someone is clearly attempting to influence the court.

Chanasongkram police Colonel Rangsan Praditphol says no complaint has been made as yet. Police will wait to see what happens with the court's internal investigation, he adds.

A lawyer for ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Pichit Chuenban, denies he was the one trying to bribe the court.

"Our lawyers are not involved in this. We know the court will find this to be true, too," Pichit says.

"We don't need to do this. Something like this never entered our heads. I'm confident the court inquiry will find the truth behind this."

Pichit admits he and other lawyers representing the Shinawatras were at the court on the day in question. They were filing a motion with it on behalf of Thaksin and wife Pojaman.

He says they were at the courthouse for about 20 minutes but brought nothing with them except for legal documents.

XTRA

What the supreme court knows

>> Tuesday, 12.30pm: A lawyer who had formerly

represented a politician hands a court official a bag containing a box of pastries. The box is found to contain Bt2 million in cash.

>> The official asks what the lawyer wants. He replies "just share it amongst you".

The official notifies a passing judge about the unusual "gift".

>> The judge instructs the official to photograph the box and its contents and return it to the lawyer.