The suit was filed at the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court against EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp, commissioners Prinya Nakchudtree and Virachai Naewboonnien, and former EC member Charupat Ruangsuwan, who resigned in May.

The plaintiff accused the defendants of treating him unfairly when the EC ordered his dismissal in July 2005 following an internal investigation's finding that Vijit was responsible for alleged bid-fixing in the EC's 2002 purchase of trucks valued at Bt55 million.

Vijit said in his lawsuit that last year's dismissal order appeared to be aimed at harming his reputation. He said the National Counter Corruption Commission later found no link between him and the bid-fixing scandal. The court scheduled October 30 for a pre-trial hearing. - The Nation.

n defamation case

Sondhi loses in court

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday acquitted three MCOT Plc executives of defaming anti-government campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul.

Sondhi accused board chairman Rewat Chamchalerm, board member Tongthong Chandrangsu, manager Mingkhwan Sangsuwan, and MCOT of slander.

Sondhi alleged the defendants told a news conference in September last year they had removed Sondhi's "Muang Thai Rai Sapda" programme from Channel 9 because he inappropriately mentioned His Majesty the King in a broadcast.

The court found the defendants' comments were fair and could not be regarded as defamatory. Sondhi's lawyer Suwat Apaipak said an appeal was likely. - The Nation.

n election fraud

Opposition denies libel charges

Top Democrat Party figures dismissed libel charges filed against them by Thai Rak Thai Party deputy secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej, as the Criminal Court yesterday began trying the case, which relates to the April 2 general election.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon denied the libel charges in their opening statement.

The case regards an allegation by the Democrat Party, which is also a co-defendant in the case, that at least three senior figures from Thai Rak Thai hired minor political parties to contest the election, thus exempting its candidates from having to secure 20 per cent of the vote. The court scheduled a date of March 3, 2007 for the first hearing of witness testimonies. - The Nation.