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Published on April 2, 2008

The high-profile litigation arose from a censure debate in 1997 in which Suthep, who was in opposition, delivered a damning speech against former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh following the baht's flotation. The devaluation of the currency triggered the Asian financial crisis.

Suthep claimed Chavalit had wrongfully allowed Bhokin to attend a crucial meeting before cutting the baht loose and that Bhokin had leaked the information to then telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, who made huge gains from speculative currency trading.

Chavalit issued a public statement denying Bhokin's presence at the meeting which was confined to himself and two officials, then finance minister Thanong Bidaya and then central bank chief Rerngchai Marakanond.

Citing Chavalit's statement as evidence, Bhokin sued Suthep for defamation and demanded Bt4 billion in damages, before reducing the demand. The plaintiff argued that Suthep had smeared Bhokin as a third person, hence there was no grounds to invoke parliamentary immunity.

Some 16 major newspapers and media outlets were named as accomplices in publishing and distributing Suthep's speech.

Following yesterday's release of the high court's final verdict, Suthep said the judicial review found him to have carried out his duty as an opposition MP in censuring government leaders.

In regard to the question whether Bhokin was present at the meeting, two plaintiff witnesses - Thanong and Rerngchai - testified that Bhokin was in attendance without authorisation.

The high court ruled that Suthep did not alter the information to smear Bhokin, but had outlined what happened.

Suthep said he was grateful for justice being his shield for doing his job in censuring the government.

KESINEE TAENGKHIO

THE NATION