PM to sue Manager today

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will today file a civil libel suit against the Manager daily demanding 500 million baht in damages for its publishing of a revered monk's sermon accusing him of being power-hungry. Mr Thaksin's lawyer, Thana Benchathikul, said yesterday that a separate criminal defamation lawsuit would also be filed against the Thai-language newspaper, its editor and a top executive today.

Mr Thaksin last week filed criminal and civil defamation suits against Manager founder Sondhi Limthongkul, for allegedly accusing the prime minister of being disloyal to the monarchy.

The suits said the accusation was made during Mr Sondhi's television talk show Muang Thai Rai Sapda (Thailand Weekly) on Channel 9, which was subsequently taken off the air.

The suits also named Mr Sondhi's programme co-host, Sarocha Porn-udomsak, as a co-defendant. Mr Thaksin demanded 500 million baht in damages.

Mr Thana said yesterday that in its Sept 27 edition, the newspaper published comments by Luangta Maha Bua Yannasampanno, of Wat Pa Ban Tad in Udon Thani, accusing Mr Thaksin of having seized power from all the country's institutions and of trying to move Thai politics towards a presidential system.

500 million baht in damages for its publishing of a revered monk's sermon

Gee, I wonder what I could get if the occupants of our village Wat were to publicly slander me But then again they wouldn't, great guys.

Why sue the newspaper for just relaying what the monk said? Why not just sue the monk for saying it? Oh I forgot you are not allowed to have an opinion here unless its the right one.
"Mr Thaksin demanded 500 million in damages" - words fail me on that one. No wonder he is one of the richest people in Thailand.

I can sympathise with people who are injured getting large amopunts in damages, as the money will be used to care for them for the rest of their life, but 500 million because someone said something he didn't like?
Shame on the PM and I guess 500 million is not nearly enough to repair his damaged, rather large ego !

Freedom of speech. OOPS, sorry wrong country. He needs his ego deflated a little or he will need to use the 500 million to modify doorways so he can fit his head thru.

I don't think even Mr T is daft enough to sue one of the most revered monks in the country.If he does the **** will hit the fan.

Power corrupts, and so on...

And theres more......

According to todays bangkok post:

The PM is also now sueing the journalist of an article inthe Thai Post newspaper who claimed that Shin Corp (founded by the PM) has profited from its political connections. Apparently these claims are 'false and had damaged the companys reputation'

If Shin Corp wins the case then the journalist and newspaper executives face a two year jail term and Shin Corp are trying to bring a civil libel suit also which is for 400 million baht.

Words fail me, and a public website is not the place to air my opinions.

Icidentally, last year the government approved a loan of around 800 million baht to Burma to purchase satelite equipment for the country - the money was on condition that they purchase from a certain telecommunications company here in Thailand - can anyone guess which one ???

How can they then now say the claims are false and damaging ?

In an unrelated issue, the boss of the Auditor Generals office , which was investigating high level and high value corruption has been removed from her post as apparently her appointment last year was 'unconstitutional'. And those high profile cases are now (quote) idle(unquote)
It appears that as she was not a civil servant she answered to nobody and was apparently quite good at her job.

Makes one think doesn't it?
The official line is that the cases are still under investigation however due to 'staff shortages' they are not being looked at currently.

Last year - most of the executives on the Anti-Corruption Committee were suspended for ......... corruption - You have to laugh really don't you ?


Paul

I see the Auditor General replacement gave up in the end as he was never going to be approved.I guess they will stall until her term runs out as to re appoint such a great lady what be a huge loss of face.Very sad.

The way I heard it the King did not "rubber stamp" the new Auditor General's appointment and gave the "๏llegally" appointed AG a royal title.

Not saying anything but looking very hard in the general direction of the Government.

She was indeed honoured and he replacement told he would never be endorsed.Says it all really.

This post is 1 year old and it is the ''random forum post for today??

Maybe because its........... "Random".