A lawyer for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday filed defamation charges against a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and pledged to also take legal action against a well-known actress.
The lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, claimed that PAD co-leader Somboon Thongburan made false and defamatory remarks about Thaksin in a video clip.
The clip allegedly said that Thaksin had ordered more than 400 men in black uniforms to gather at Phra Dhammakaya temple in preparation to disrupt anti-amnesty protests at Rachadamnoen Avenue and demand that government withdraw Thailand from the Preah Vihear temple case.
The lawyer said that Mr Somboon, who is facing charges in connection with PAD's seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008, also claimed the former premier wants both issues to be settled before Monday.
Phra Sanitwong Wuthiwangsoh, spokesman for Phra Dhammakaya temple, denied the claim that a group of men in black outfits had taken up post at the temple.
Mr Winyat said he was meanwhile gathering evidence and witnesses in order to file a lawsuit against actress Pattaratida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong. The lawyer claimed that she defamed Thaksin when she spoke out against the amnesty bill on stage at the Democracy Monument protest last Tuesday.
"A certain prisoner has killed people, committed fraud, made Thais no longer Thais, changing the country that has been renowned for harmony to split into groups opposing and killing each other,” Ms Pattaratida said.
Mr Winyat argued that various speakers at anti-amnesty demonstrations have referred to events that did not happen and irrelevantly used the monarchy to back their false statements.
He added that he is prepared to press charges against everyone who defamed Thaksin.