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Published on April 19, 2008

The Nation

Lawsuits by Tesco Lotus against three Thai critics of the group's fast expansion, including a Krungthep Turakij editor who wrote that the company did not "love" Thailand, have triggered outrage among local and international advocates of media freedom.

Krungthep Turakij senior editor Nongnart Harnvilai faces Bt100 million in damages for writing in her tongue-in-cheek "Buzz" column that Tesco Lotus did not love Thai people because its planned new branches will hurt many of them.

Another of the paper's columnists, Kamol Kamoltrakul, has also been served with a libel writ seeking Bt100 million. A Tesco Lotus critic, Jit Siratranont - former MP and now vice general secretary of the Thai Chamber of Commerce - is accused of criminal libel, an offence liable to two years' imprisonment. He also faces a damages claim of Bt1.1 billion.

The lawsuit against Nongnart refers to her column which said opening 130 new branches was an act that means the company does not love the Thai people. The company insists this was a false accusation that damaged its image and business prospects.

"Nongnart will receive our full support in this fight," said Krungthep Turakij managing editor Duangkamol Chotana. "This is intimidation. Nongnart has been working for us for 20 years and she has an impeccable ethical record. The lawsuit is against a journalist's honest and professional criticism based on her intention to protect the public interest."

The Guardian said that free-speech campaigners viewed the lawsuits as evidence of Tesco Lotus's determination to stamp out lingering criticism of its rapid expansion.

"Obviously Tesco Lotus is on the warpath," said Roby Alampay, of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance. "It's out to silence not only criticism, but seems to want to stop anyone saying anything about the company. We find that very ominous."

The Thai Journalists Association is expected to voice concern over the issue. Next week, Thailand's Human Rights Commission will address the legal tactics of going after individual critics rather than the organisations they represent.

"Look at the amounts being demanded as damages and it's obvious that this is intended to silence criticism," said Kamol.

"Tesco is clearly abusing its power with a view to silencing its critics," said Dr Agnes Callamard, executive director of ARTICLE 19. "This is completely unacceptable behaviour for a corporate giant such as Tesco."