Thaksin threatens to sue Chavanond

Published: 27/01/2012 at 06:15 PM
Online news: Local News

Ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will file a libel lawsuit against Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut for accusing him of defaming the monarchy, Thaksin’s local legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said on Friday.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut (Photo by Pornprom Sarttarbhaya)

Mr Chavanond recently accused Mr Thaksin of “an inappropriate act” in giving an interview that defamed the royal institution, Mr Noppadon said.

The interview supposedly appeared in a book entitled ‘’Conversations with Thaksin: From Exile to Deliverance: Thailand's Populist Tycoon Tells His Story", Mr Noppadon said.

The book was written by Los Angeles Times columnist Tom Plate and launched last year, he said.

According to Mr Chavanond, Mr Plate asked Thaksin whether he thought the King would grant an audience to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon if he asked to discuss with him the political unrest and lack of unity within Thailand.

Mr Thaksin had replied that, considering Mr Ban’s position, he thought the King may probably grant him an audience, according to Mr Chavanond, Mr Noppadon said.

Mr Noppadon said the Democrat spokesman’s remark had defamed and brought hatred upon Thaksin. The alleged conversation between the former premier and the author does not appear in the book, according to Mr Noppadon.

Noppadon Pattama (Photo AP)

Mr Noppadon insisted Thaksin had never suggested that Mr Ban travel to Thailand and raise these domestic issues with the King.

He also said Thaksin agreed with the Pheu Thai Party’s announcement it would not definitely not seek to amend the lese majeste law.

Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party revered and were totally loyal to the monarchy. They would take legal action against anyone accusing them of being otherwise, he said.

Mr Noppadon advised Mr Chavanond not to monopolise the right to be loyal to His Majesty and not to politically exploit the revered institution.

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Your comments

francis2
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Discussion 19 : 28/01/2012 at 08:33 PM19
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Why does the option of modifying the lese majeste law get taken as a direct criticism of the King? If I believe that the law on rape should be modified does that mean I agree with rape?
fundeena
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Discussion 18 : 28/01/2012 at 04:41 PM18
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med142.disc.12. "The Dems harbour a MP suspected of murder"? The entire House, which is controlled by the PTP, the proxy PM and Thaksin, must vote to waive the immunity of the Dem MP suspected of murder. Will it happen? Let's wait (seemingly forever) and see.
dao
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Discussion 17 : 28/01/2012 at 11:15 AM17
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Thaksin wants to sue with the same legal system he ran away from .What a hypocrite .
democrazy
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Discussion 16 : 28/01/2012 at 09:51 AM16
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The opposition democrat party is just doing their job.
tomb
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Discussion 15 : 28/01/2012 at 08:55 AM15
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Although I partly agree with the Thaksin bashers here, I do think that the Democrats should stop exploiting the lese majeste law for their own gain, which is what they're doing here.

Why is it that the Dems cannot come up with anything creative, but have to rely on negative ads and messages to hog the limelight? Just sad.
android
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Discussion 14 : 28/01/2012 at 08:08 AM14
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Thai laws do not specify that a convicted person is "not allowed" to file a defamation lawsuit against somebody. No one should be deprived of the right in any judiciary proceedings. This is the spirit of justice in laws.
dtyolmn
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Discussion 13 : 28/01/2012 at 04:04 AM13
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I agree with other posters on here. Thaksin should not be able to take any legal action against anyone. He is a fugitive of Thailand and has been found guilty and sentenced but ran away from his punishment. He should be ruled as a non-citizen with no rights until he gives himself up and serves his time.
med142
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Discussion 12 : 28/01/2012 at 02:35 AM12
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Glass houses and all that, yes he is convicted of a crime. Is it a very serious one? not really.
I would think that most politicians have done what he has done, but will not admit to it.
Is a far cry from a politician murdering someone and hiding himself behind being an MP.
I am not sanctioning what TS has done. But the dems harbour an MP suspected of murder, even the leader is embroiled in a corruption case maybe more than 1.
ricefield
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Discussion 11 : 27/01/2012 at 10:41 PM11
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Disc 7 - I agree with you that the DP appears to be exploiting the issue.
apiquea
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Discussion 10 : 27/01/2012 at 10:19 PM10
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This kind of entertainment that Thai politicians is putting up is getting stale. If you watch a few minutes of nang-ta-lung you'll get what i mean. There can be so much vulgarity for it to be a turn off.