Libel suit against PM, CRES members dropped

BANGKOK, 10 May 2010 (NNT) – The Civil Court has turned down a libel suit lodged by a Chulalongkorn University lecturer against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and two members of the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

The three defendants in the case were Prime Minister Abhisit, Deputy Prime Minister and CRES Director Suthep Thaugsuban, and CRES Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd. However, the court ruled that the plaintiff, Mr Suthachai Yimprasert, had no authority to file the lawsuit; therefore, the case was dispensed.

Mr Suthachai, a lecturer from the Department of History, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, last week petitioned the Civil Court for legal actions against the three state authorities for defamation. He claimed that he was falsely accused of playing a role in the plot against the monarchy and thus demanded 300,544 THB in compensation for damage on his reputation.