Supinya said the Communication for Social Change award was a "beautiful ending" to her legal struggle against telecom giant Shin Corp. "My fight for the freedom of communication will continue. This award serves as compensation for my family."

Shin sued Supinya and Thai Post newspaper for Bt400 million in damages for claiming that the company, owned by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family, had a mutually beneficial relationship with the government. The Criminal Court dismissed the case in March, saying she had a right to express her opinions.

Youth offenders :Long jail terms for gang rape

Four young men were given lengthy prison terms yesterday for their part in the gang rape of two girls by 21 people two years ago.

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced Preechathat Ritdee, Annop Borksanthia and Tantikorn Siriratchaphong to 18 years each. Thiwa Saisawas was jailed for 20 years - with an additional two years for luring the girls, now 18 years old, into going out with him and three other young men, who are still at large.

The girls were taken to a football pitch in Suan Luang district in Bangkok, where four other defendants and 13 boys were playing football. The girls said they were raped by all 21 males before being rescued by two policemen patrolling on motorcycle.

The court acquitted four other defendants due to insufficient evidence. The 13 boys are facing trial at the Juvenile and Family Court.

 The court dismissed as impossible the defendants' claim that the girls had agreed to have sex with all of them.