"The media professionals merely did their job by reporting on a press conference organised by the Democrat Party," outgoing Senator Thongbai Thongpao said yesterday.

The comment follows lawsuits launched by the Thaksin on Wednesday in which he accused the Democrat Party, its campaign spokesman Thepthai Senpong and three major papers - Matichon, Khao Sod and Daily News - of defaming him.

Thaksin has sought damages of Bt800 million, claiming his reputation was smeared.

The suits named editors of the three newspapers as defendants, alleging they were criminally culpable.

In the suits, he alleged the rival party and three papers portrayed him as trying to cling to power. The reports projected him as the wandering spirit "Phi Pop" that feasts on intestines - in an analogy to his alleged plundering of the country.

Thongbai, a lawyer and winner of the prestigious Magsaysay Award, said Thaksin had raised a frivolous argument because

there were no judicial precedents to link a superstitious belief with libel.

Thongbai's colleague Seri Suwanphanont said Thaksin was being unreasonable in prosecuting media professionals.

"This is like Thaksin trying to take revenge before ending his political career," he said.

Mahachon Party deputy leader Akapol Sorasuchart said Thaksin's lawsuits fuelled political animosity and went against the royal advice to strive for unity.

"I believe Thaksin wants to gag his rival Democrats and unnecessarily involve media professionals in his lawsuits," Akapol said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party was not worried by Thaksin's attempt to silence its criticism.