PM and TRT sue Sondhi and ten others for alleged defamation
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his ruling party jointly lodged suit on Friday against anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul and 10 accomplices for libel relating to an alleged plot to cling to power.
"The 11 defendants committed defamation by linking the plaintiffs with the socalled Finland Declaration at a public forum at Thammasat University," the plaintiffs' writ said. The event was broadcast live by satellite television station ASTV and covered by media outlets owned by the Manager Group, including Phujadkarn newspaper and its website, on May 2428. Sondhi's fellow defendants include caretaker Senator Chirmsak Pinthong, Vajiravudh College director Chaianan Samudvanija, political commentator Pramote Nakornthap, and the management and editors of Manager media outlets. The Criminal Court has scheduled September 4 for a hearing to determine whether the case merits judicial review. Thaksin's lawyer, Thana Benjathikul, said a separate civil case would be filed next week demanding Bt1 billion in damages resulting from the alleged defamation. Last week, the ruling party filed a complaint leading the police to launch an investigation into the matter.
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