4th Day of defence witnesses

The fourth day of defence witnesses saw the Defence call the final seven witnesses to testify. These were Tarisa Watanagase (นางธาริษา วัฒนเกส), the Bank of Thailand Governor; Veerapong Uthanont (นายวีระพงษ์ มุทานนท์), an executive with Land and Houses; Verathep Ratanakorn (นายวราเทพ รัตนากร), the former deputy Minister of Finance; Wirat Kulphetprasit (นายวิรัช กุลเพชรประสิทธิ์), from the Legal & Execution department; Sujirat Thongmee (น.ส.สุจิรัตน์ ทองมี) from the Legal & Execution department (Bankruptcy Division); Neungtai Wongtong (น.ส.หนึ่งหทัย วงษ์ทอง), a former FIDF Official and Wasan Thianhom (นายวสันต์ เทียนหอม) from the Securities Exchange Commission.

Before testimony started, Defence lawyer, Anek Kamchum (เอนก คำชุ่ม), again stated that the defendants no longer required their services, but would continue to call each of the witnesses, but would take no further part. All questions to the witnesses were from the bench.

Justice Tonglor asked Land and Houses' executive Veerapong Uthanont if the defendants had a "cozy" relationship with the firm. "Close or not, I don't know," he said. He testified that the company had registered to bid in the e-auction, but had not placed a bid as the company viewed the opening price as too high. When asked what there intentions for the land were, Mr. Uthanont said that they planned to build either houses or a condominium on the plot, but were aware of the height restrictions in the area.

Bank of Thailand Governor Tarisa Watanagase told the court deals done by the Financial Institutions Development Fund did not require prime ministerial or ministerial permission. She testified that oversight of the Fund was carried out by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG)

The Supreme Court issued a summons for a former lawyer of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who is serving a six-month jail term for contempt to testify as a witness in the Ratchadapisek land case. Defence lawyer Kamnuan Chalopatham said following the contempt conviction, the defence had removed Pichit from the list of defence witnesses although the judge deemed it necessary to hear his testimony. "At this juncture, I am not sure whether or not Pichit's statement would be in favour of the defence," he said, arguing that everything would depend on how the questions posed by the presiding judge.

The court continued to schedule Friday 22nd August for testimony by Thaksin and Pojaman Shinawatra, but indicated that a written statement could be presented to the court, even though it would leave the prosecution no chance to examine the witnesses.