Ticha na Nakhon, a former coordinator for the Women and the Constitution Network, was named as the defendant in the suit for her published articles condemning a "big police officer" for making unwanted sexual advances towards a female reporter.

The articles were published in Matichon newspaper on June 6 and June 23, 2003.

Public prosecutors and Sant lodged the lawsuit with the court.

However, the court pointed out Thursday that the articles did not identify any police officer by name and that the words "big police officer" could refer to any of several senior police officers.

"As the coprosecutor [Sant] is not the damaged party, there is no need to review whether the articles are a deliberate defamation against him," the court said.

After the court announced its decision, Ticha received a flower basket from 10 other women's rights activists who came to offer her moral support. "Women deserve dignity, safety and respect in the workplace," Ticha said.