PM’s lawyers to axe suits
 The Nation
December 6 , 2005 - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s legal team was planning yesterday to drop criminal and civil lawsuits against his staunch foe Sondhi Limthongkul following His Majesty the King’s advice, during his birthday address to the nation on Sunday, against using lawsuits to silence critics.
Thana Benjathikul, a lawyer for Thaksin, said yesterday he would call a meeting of his legal team and discuss dropping all suits filed against Sondhi.
Members of the legal team would propose to Thaksin that he either terminate all lawsuits against Sondhi or settle them out of court, to comply with the King’s advice.
“I have talked to my legal team and decided to withdraw the suits, but I have yet to discuss the matter with the prime minister,” Thana said. “However, we will eventually have to drop the lawsuits according to the King’s wishes.”
The key portion of the King’s address, followed closely by all Thais, advised the prime minister not to use lawsuits to silence his critics because such tactics could backfire.
“Lawyers teach the PM that whoever insults the King, we have to insult them back. This is not good,” His Majesty said in his address.
“Lawyers teach the PM, telling him to sue, to punish. This is how they teach the PM. Who said to punish? Do not punish them. Punishment is not good. Finally, it is not that the PM who is in trouble, the King is in trouble – or want to see the King in trouble, I do not know.... Lawyers should know what is right or wrong.”
Thaksin’s legal team had filed six criminal and civil suits demanding more than Bt2 billion in total from Sondhi and others.
Political observers believe the move to drop lawsuits against Sondhi take some of the heat out of the vocal critic’s planned big rally on Friday. The media tycoon had called for 500,000 people to show up at Lumpini Park in what he hoped could turn into a giant anti-Thaksin demonstration to rock the government to its foundations.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the PM should withdraw all suits against his critics because the King had advised the government to accept criticism and warned against the use of lawsuits.
Political scientist Prayad Hongthongkham agreed that Thaksin should drop the suits to show he has a forgiving heart and that he takes His Majesty’s wishes seriously.
Once Thaksin withdraws his lawsuits, Sondhi should respond in kind, Prayad said.
“He [Sondhi] must change his tone by stepping back from destructive politics and should not instigate public protest as he has been doing, and should not spearhead a campaign against the PM.
“His ‘Muang Thai Rai Sapda’ show this weekend should be more constructive and include issues that help solve problems that the country faces.”
Prayad said the King was worried about the high-profile sparring between Thaksin and Sondhi because he did not want to see the bloodshed of May 1992 repeated.
“The King wants to see both of them tone down their attitude and hold a knee-to-knee talk for the sake of the country,’’ he said.
His Majesty yesterday granted a grand audience to officials and members of the public, joining the celebration of his birthday at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall.
After receiving best wishes from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Thaksin, the King called for unity and solidarity in the nation and urged people to carry out their duties in the public interest.
The King warned all parties to be vigilant expecially during the current period of complex situations involving public well-being, security and stability of the country.
“If Thai people behave and carry out their duties without solidarity, the country’s stability will be jeopardised, especially during this current situation,’’ His Majesty said.
Government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said all members of the Cabinet had understood and accepted that they were public figures and bound to accept criticism and respond to it in constructive ways.
Sucheera Pinijparakarn |
