Panlop quits Rak Chat over rejection of allies

Panlop justified his decision by saying the party had made an about-turn in rejecting membership applications from his two military allies - Maj General Chamlong Srimuang and Maj General Manoonkrit Roopkachorn.

The three soldiers, Panlop, Chamlong and Manoonkrit, are graduates from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Class 7 and have been active in politics since the 1980s.

Maintaining an office in the Internal Security Operations Command, Panlop is presently adviser to junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. - The Nation

Defamation case: Khattiya gets another jail term

Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol was yesterday handed a suspended three-month jail term and fined Bt10,000 for defaming acting National Police chief Seripisut Temiyavej.

The Criminal Court also ordered Khattiya to publish its announcement in the Matichon, Thai Rath and Daily News Thai-language newspapers for a week.

The court put Khattiya on probation because his libellous statements were not considered serious and as a senior Army officer, he had made contributions to the country.

Khattiya paid the Bt10,000 but vowed to appeal the rest of the sentence.

He was found guilty of accusing Seripisut, then an inspector general, of allowing a gambling den to operate during an interview with iTV on February 23 of last year.

Seripisut has lodged a barrage of complaints against Khattiya.

"I have to fight 34 other cases against me," Khattiya said.

Earlier this year, Khattiya was sentenced to four months in jail for contempt of court after he denounced a verdict against him in another case, which was also related to Seripisut. - The Nation

Thaksin libel case: DSI chief Sunai to be sued

Lawyers for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are due to file a libel suit today against the head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday DSI chief Sunai Manomai-udom had defended himself over an earlier allegation that Thaksin and others contravened the Stock Exchange of Thailand Act in relation to SC Asset share dealings.

Noppadon referred to an interview Sunai gave to reporters about the case in which he said the DSI suspected Thaksin was guilty.

"Sunai should not defend himself over his allegation. The [DSI] investigation spent only four months [on this case], which is too fast. The accusation has obviously come from political [pressure]," he said.

The suit would seek compensation of Bt1.5 billion, he said. - The Nation