BuffHello Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 Thaksin files another $20-million libel case vs opposition, three newspapers 15 June 2006 Source: Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Thai caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has filed criminal and civil defamation suits against the opposition Democrat Party and three newspaper editors, and is seeking 800-million-baht (around US$20 million) in damages. Thaksin said he was libeled by Democrat Party spokesman Thepthai Senpong when the latter suggested that Thaksin is clinging to power. Thaksin has been running government in caretaker capacity ever since the controversial polls in April failed to award his ruling Thai Rak Thai Party legitimate parliamentary mandate to convene a new government, despite the 60 per cent majority of the votes it has won. The entire process was stymied by an opposition boycott of the elections and accusations of irregularities. The political deadlock that ensued prompted the Thai king to intervene, and call for a judicial review of the whole election process. Thaksin was then forced to forego the premiership. Nonetheless, Thaksin has remained caretaker prime minister since the elections, and there is still no clear timetable as to when a new round of elections will actually set in place a more permanent government. Meanwhile, he is said to be testing the waters for another run to head government. The criminal complaint filed in court listed Thenpai and the Democrat Party itself as key defendants. The writ said that in the Thai-language dailies of "Matichon", "Khao Sod" and "Daily News", Thepthai had compared Thaksin to a wandering spirit desperately to get back into a body. The civil case names editors of the three newspapers as co-defendants. The English-language daily, "The Nation", reported on 15 June that the Criminal Court had scheduled a hearing on the complaint for 30 October. The civil litigation will depend on whether or not the court finds just cause to pursue the criminal case. Thaksin is notorious for trying to wield defamation suits and outrageous demands for civil damages to intimidate his critics and to stifle dissent. In the past two years, he and his interests--represented largely by his family's holdings in the Shin Corp. conglomerate--had filed no less than six defamation complaints seeking billions of baht in damages. All those past cases have since either been pulled or defeated in court. http://www.seapabkk.org/newdesign/newsdetail.php?No=483 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 and the shit still continues to roll. God, when is this going to come to an end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 Well, apparently the King already whispered. Maybe the Army will have to whisper next ... Deja vu time comes again. p.s. Maybe Bush should sue Al Gore at al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limbo Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 One wonders Mac, if Mr. T already forgot that wisper???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 limbo said:One wonders Mac, if Mr. T already forgot that wisper???? for shure. But sorry to say, the role of The King in this drama is also not clear. Three weeks ago, Thaksin met the King in Hua Hin, after that meeting Thaksin was back in the office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 The King can only advise. Nothing says the PM has to take that advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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