Policeman sues media tycoon for lese majeste
 The Nation
November 9 , 2005 - A senior police officer initiated legal action yesterday against outspoken media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, claiming that he had verbally assaulted His Majesty the King. He claimed the media veteran had made an "inappropriate" comparison between HM the King and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Colonel Samniang Loujiangkham, deputy commander of Yasothon provincial police, said Sondhi had gone too far in his fierce criticism of Thaksin's government.
Police are expected file charges against Sondhi under lese majeste laws in the near future.
Sondhi blasted Thaksin in his "Muang Thai Rai Sapda" (Thailand Weekly) TV programme last Friday over the premier's order to spend taxpayer money on a personal jet to be used for missions abroad.
The commentator said even His Majesty had no personal aircraft.
"Such commentary is not appropriate and should not be made in public," Samniang said. "Sondhi shouldn't touch this highly-respected institution." Samniang is seen as a Thaksin ally in the premier's legal battles against Sondhi, who has criticised the government for failing to curb widespread corruption and Thaksin personally for challenging royal power.
|
