PM sues Democrats
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday filed a civil defamation lawsuit against the Democrat Party and its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, seeking compensation of Bt1 billion.
Representing Thaksin, Noppadol Meewattana filed the suit in the Civil Court. The suit also named three other Democrats, secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, Korbsak Sabhawasu and former Satun MP Thanin Jaisamut. The suit alleged that the group had accused Thaksin in speeches in Trang province on March 17 of avoiding taxes from his sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings and of being responsible for extrajudicial killings of drug suspects and suspected Muslim insurgents. The suit said their claims had damaged Thaksin's reputation, and it asked for compensation of Bt1 billion plus interest of 7.5 per cent per annum. The court will decide on December 4 whether to accept the case or not. Thaksin earlier filed suits against them in the Trang Provincial Court for criminal libel and violation of electoral law. The court will hold the pre-trial hearing on November 6.
Kesinee Taengkhiew The Nation
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