The Criminal Court yesterday handed down a suspended jail term to two television talkshow hosts for slandering the son of a former deputy interior minister in their programme.
The hosts, Chetthawut "Buai" Watcharakhun and Pornthip "A" Wongkijjanon, also had to pay Bt20,000 each in fines.
In the May 22 and May 27, 2009, episodes of their Channel 7 "Khan Pak" programme, they discussed rumours that a famous young actress had escaped her parent's watchful eyes to get drugs off Pai Lik, a wellknown race driver and son of former MP Ruangwit Lik.
In their defence, the hosts said this report was based on information provided to them and the script. They said that in a subsequent interview, the actress in question denied the rumours.
The court, however, issued a guilty verdict on grounds that TV hosts should understand the effects that their words have. However, since they provided useful information, the court suspended their jail term and reduced their fine from Bt30,000 to Bt20,000. The suspended jail term was also commuted from three to two months.
Chetthawut, however, said he would consult his lawyers and Channel 7 executives before he takes any further action. Asked whether he would be careful with what he says on air, he said: "We are always careful."
Porntip said she and Chetthawut were just doing their job - delivering entertaining news to audiences in the morning.
She said Channel 7 executives were helping them with a simultaneous lawsuit that Pai had filed with the Civil Court, reportedly demanding up to Bt50 million in compensation.