The Criminal Court on Tuesday dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban against former Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdit in connection with irregularities in the Royal Thai Police project to build 396 replacement police stations nationwide.
Mr Tarit and four other persons were named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Mr Suthep argued that between Feb 27 - March 5, 2013 Mr Tarit accused him at press conferences of abuse of authority by altering the project, which had provided that the new police stations to be contracted out and built separately by region, to allowing only one construction firm to handle the whole project. He said the accusation damaged his reputation.
The court concluded from its examination of evidence and witnesses that Mr Suthep, who was then deputy prime minister in charge of the RTP, did not follow a cabinet resolution which required the construction be carried out separately by the various police regions.
Mr Tarit, the DSI chief, was duty bound to investigate on receiving complaints of irregularities in the implementation of the project and the case was monitored closely by the public.
The court, therefore, dismissed Mr Suthep's lawsuit.
Mr Suthep is currently in monkhood in the name of Phra Suthep Papakaro.