Thai tells of painting without pay

A Thai immigrant has told the corruption trial of former Government minister Taito Phillip Field of the painting work he did for the politician and of not being paid for it because of the "help" Field had given him.

Phongphat Chaikhunpol - also known by his nickname Ded - painted at properties Field owned at Blake St and Church St in South Auckland.

Field has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of bribery and corruption as an MP and 23 counts of wilfully obstructing or perverting the course of justice.

The charges were laid after allegations Field received benefits from Thai immigrants for help he gave them on immigration matters between 2002 and 2005.

Mr Chaikhunpol told the High Court at Auckland yesterday he painted window frames, door frames and doors at the Blake St property.

Crown prosecutor David Johnstone asked if they discussed money on the first day. They did not.

"He helped me so I didn't want to charge him anything," Mr Chaikhunpol said.

Mr Johnstone asked what Field's response was and he replied Field said thank you for not taking any money.

He estimated he did about 30 hours of work on the house.

Mr Chaikhunpol later went to the Church St property and Field visited him while he worked.

"He said to me the house is done and it looks beautiful ... how much do I want for this. I said to him I won't take his money because he helped me to get to stay here and that's the best thing [that's] happened to me."

Mr Chaikhunpol said if it "hadn't been for Taito" he wouldn't be in New Zealand.

As allegations of bribery broke, Jinda Thaivichit, an associate of Field's, prepared a statement for Mr Chaikhunpol ahead of a meeting with Noel Ingram QC, he said. Then, Mr Chaikhunpol told Mr Ingram suggestions he worked for Field without pay in exchange for help with his immigration case were untrue.

The trial continues.