2 TV hosts get suspended jail term for slandering former minister's son

The Criminal Court Wednesday handed down a suspended jail term to two TV hosts for slandering a son of a former deputy interior minister during their programme.
The TV hosts, Chetthawut or Buai Watcharakhun, and Pornthip or A Wongkijjanon, were also ordered to pay Bt20,000 fine each.
Both convicts have hosted the "Khan Pak" programme on Channel 7. On May 22 and May 27 last year, they discussed on rumours that a famous actress had run away from home to Pai Lik, son of former several-time MP Ruangwit Lik, for drugs.
In their defence, they said they had spoken based on information they had and the script. Aside, they said the actress in question was interviewed on air.
Pai is also a well-known race driver.
The court gave a guilty verdict on grounds that the TV hosts must have understood the effects of their words.
However, due to their useful statement, the court granted leniency allowing their jail term to be suspended for one year and their fine amount reduced from Bt30,000 to Bt20,000.
The suspended jail term has also been commuted from three months to two months.