Guest Posted January 9, 2002 Report Share Posted January 9, 2002 Magazine may be sued for libel Minister cites article on PM, monarchy The government might take legal action against the Far Eastern Economic Review over an article which could be considered defamatory of the monarchy and the prime minister. A legal team, represented by the Special Branch police and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, was looking at the possibility of taking the magazine to court. Surakiat Sathirathai, the foreign minister, said references to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the monarchy, which appeared in the ``Intelligence'' column in the Jan 10 edition of the magazine, were being examined. The minister said the government was ``specifically concerned'' about ``unsuitable references''. Mr Surakiat said the article would be translated into Thai and examined by the Special Branch. If the matter is pursued, it was unclear if the case would be filed inside or outside Thailand. Mr Surakiat said that particular issue of the magazine was not banned but police said they had already blocked distribution. Pol Gen Sant Sarutanont, the national police chief, ordered the Special Branch to seize the magazine after learning about its inappropriate content. Pol Maj-Gen Treethos Ronlitthiwichai, the Special Branch police division 2 commander, said a letter had been sent to the magazine's import agent not to distribute it. Srisook Chandrangsu, Thai Airways International vice-chairman, said the magazine was removed from its flights but insisted the move was part of a cost-cutting measure and was not connected with the article. A magazine spokesperson said the publication had not received any official notification from Thai authorities and refused to comment further. http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/08Jan2002_news06.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2002 Report Share Posted January 9, 2002 This is the article A Right Royal Headache It promises to be a messy new year for Thailand politically, if the messages from some senior officials are to be believed. Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is becoming an increasing source of irritation to King Bhumibol Adulyadej because of Thaksin's perceived arrogance and his alleged attempts to meddle in royal family affairs. Thailand's constitutional monarch has no formal role in day-to-day politics, but in a speech in early December marking his birthday he lambasted the premier in public.Thaksin is known to have business links with the king's son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn. According to a senior official close to the palace, all this is frowned upon by the king, prompting speculation of a possible confrontation between the Prime Minister's Office and the palace. The same source worries that Thaksin, who gained a massive majority in last year's January 6 general election, may use his status as Thailand's wealthiest businessman, with solid backing in parliament, to fend off the royal palace. That would have serious and worrying implications for the future stability of Thailand. http://www.feer.com/articles/2002/0201_10/p008intell.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2002 Report Share Posted January 9, 2002 Thanks joygunoy, Was reading this online and wondered what the article was.. Sanukboot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2002 Report Share Posted January 9, 2002 What a waste of time banning the publication or removing it from the stands when it is freely available on the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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