Sondhi found guilty and sentenced to 2 years in jail

The court cited Sondhi as a repeat offender for libel to refuse to grant him leniency for a suspended jail term.

In its ruling, the court said Sondhi made wild accusations against Pridiyathorn with the aim to sway the public sentiment but had no evidence to back up his remarks.

Reacting to his verdict, Sondhi said he will fight for an overturn in the appellate review. He has sought a temporary release pending the filing of his appeal within 30 days.

As pliantiff, Pridiyathorn argued that Sondhi had smeared him by linking him to the old power clique, a reference to the ousted government led by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sondhi made his news commentary that Pridiyathorn was trying to whitewash the wrongdoing committed by the ousted government.

As examples of the whitewash scam, he cited Pridiyathorn's involvement in the attempt to revive the two-and three-digit lotteries and in protecting former tax chief Sirote Sawasdipanich who was linked to facilitating Thaksin's share transactions.

Sondhi's remarks were published in the Manager newspaper and circulated in the Internet by ThaiDay Dot Com. Both outlets are part of his media empire.

As accomplice to circulate inflammatory remarks, newspaper editor Khunthong Loseriwanit was given a two-year suspended jail term and pay a fine of Bt30,000.

The court also ordered the defence to publish an apology for Pridiyathorn in daily newspapers for five consecutive days.