Yellow, red leaders end legal battle

[Flashermac]

Bangkok Post

23 Jul 2010

 

 

 

Red shirt leaders and Sondhi Limthongkul, of the People's Alliance for Democracy, have withdrawn defamation suits against each other following a court initiative to settle their legal wrangle.

 

Veera Musikhapong, Natthawut Saikua, Jatuporn Prompan and Korkaew Pikulthong, key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, had filed six defamation lawsuits against Mr Sondhi, ThaiDay Dot Com Co, the owner of ASTV station founded by Mr Sondhi, and nine other people, while Mr Sondhi had filed two defamation suits against the red shirt leaders.

 

Mr Veera, Mr Natthawut and Mr Korkaew were yesterday taken from Bangkok Remand Prison, where they are being held on terrorism charges in connection with the recent political violence, to the Criminal Court for the negotiations.

 

The three red shirt leaders met with Suwat Apaipak, a lawyer representing Mr Sondhi. The Criminal Court mediated.

 

The meeting was held behind closed doors. It took about seven hours for the parties to agree to end their legal battle and withdraw their lawsuits.

 

Krirk-rit Ittharat, the Criminal Court secretary, said the red shirt leaders are satisfied with the resolution to the wrangle.

 

Mr Krirk-rit said Mr Sondhi, as a defendant, has now recognised that information provided by Mr Veera, Mr Jatuporn and Mr Natthawut was accurate.

 

The red shirt leaders explained that there were no stage activities which insulted the monarchy during the Kwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth Today) political talk show held at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Nov 1, 2008.

 

Mr Sondhi admitted his allegations against the UDD leaders about the stage performances were untrue and he had misunderstood them, Mr Krirk-rit said.

 

He said both sides have set the facts straight and agreed to withdraw the lawsuits they had filed against each other.

 

:content: