Court throws out Korn libel suit

Court throws out Korn libel suit

The Appeal Court has upheld the primary court ruling acquitting two Pheu Thai members for criticising former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij and his family for seeking favours from Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) in the form of flight upgrades.

The court on Friday decided to throw out the libel suit filed by Mr Korn, a former Democrat Party deputy leader, and his wife, Vorakorn Chatikavanij, against former Information and Communication Technology minister Anudith Nakornthap and former Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap.

In the case filed by Mr Korn, he accused the two Pheu Thai members of distributing a press release to the media containing information that defamed the reputation of himself and his family in a news conference during Dec 26-27, 2009, at the party's head office.

The press release said they received a complaint from employees and shareholders of THAI that Mr Korn and his family had sought favours from the airline to upgrade their seats while travelling abroad several times.

Anudith: Acquitted by court

Initially, Mr Korn and his wife filed the case naming four defendants -- the Pheu Thai Party; Yongyuth Wichaidit, former deputy prime minister and former Pheu Thai Party leader; Gp Capt Anudith; and Mr Jirayu.

The court dismissed the lawsuit against the party and Mr Yongyuth while the primary court threw out the suit against Gp Capt Anudith and Mr Jirayu in January last year. Mr Korn and his wife appealed.

The Appeal Court ruled that Mr Korn, who was finance minister at the time, was a public figure.

Korn: Did have upgrades on THAI

Therefore, it was not unusual for him to be criticised by the general public and the defendants' behaviour was regarded as honest expressions of their opinions, according to the court.

The court said that Mr Korn and his family members did actually have their seats upgraded by the airline despite the fact that they paid for cheaper tickets on lower classes.

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