Chronology
 The Nation
September 15: Channel 9 cancels a weekly live programme hosted by veteran journalist Sondhi Limthongkul, saying it improperly cited His Majesty the King and the monarchy on several occasions in the previous month.
The station's executives say the content of "Muangthai Rai Sapda" (Thailand Weekly), could cause public misunderstanding.
Sondhi vows to continue his weekly political talk show, which would turn into a popular public forum hosted first at Thammasat University and later at Lumpini Park. He later also made the show's content available on the satellite-based News1 television station from 10pm to 11.30pm every Friday.
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October 3: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer files defamation suits against Sondhi, demanding Bt500 million in damages. Thaksin names Manager Media Group founder Sondhi and Sarocha Porn-udomsak, co-host of "Muang Thai Rai Sapda", as co-defendants.
The libel lawsuits, filed by Thaksin's lawyer Noppadon Meewan, are the first brought by the premier since he took office in 2001. The suits claim that the talk show hosts repeatedly accused Thaksin of being disloyal to the monarchy.
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October 11: Thaksin's lawyer files further defamation suits against the Manager newspaper, its publisher, and the manager of the media group's business-restructuring plan, demanding Bt500 million in damages.
The suits are in response to an article in the newspaper's September 27 edition, which cited strongly worded comments by Luangta Maha Bua against the prime minister. But Thaksin excludes the popular monk from the lawsuits.
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Or click here to read stories in the speical Truth about Sondhi & Thaksin series.
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