Former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith has offered 100,000 baht to ex-deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban through the Criminal Court as part of his apology over an accusation he made against the political firebrand.
The Supreme Court will rule on Mr Tarit's defamation case today. Mr Suthep filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr Tarit after he suggested Mr Suthep was responsible for the failure of a multi-billion baht project to build 396 police stations worth 6.67 billion baht.
The project to build the stations was endorsed by the cabinet during the former Abhisit Vejjajiva administration, in which Mr Suthep served as deputy premier.
Mr Tarit on Monday issued a public apology to Mr Suthep.
Mr Tarit's public apology and a reversed plea to guilty come despite him being cleared by the Criminal Court and the Appeal Court of the defamation charge.
Mr Suthep, however, has refused to accept the apology from Mr Tarit, saying the former DSI chief abused his authority to appease those in power at that time.
Mr Tarit on Thursday assigned his lawyer, Kwanchai Patjaya, to present 100,000 baht to the court for Mr Suthep. The sum was being offered without any conditions, according to Mr Tarit's statement.
Mr Kwanchai said as the defendant changed his plea to guilty, he wished to show his sincerity with the financial gift.
Only the Supreme Court can decide if this serves as a mitigating factor when the ruling and potential penalty is decided, he added.
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