The Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced Democrat Party spokesman Chavanont Intarakomalyasut to two years in jail, suspended for two years, and a fine of 100,000 baht after finding him guilty of defaming former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on Sept 24-25, 2011, Mr Chavanont said at a press conference that Mr Surapong, who was then foreign minister, removed Assada Jayanam from chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and Veerachai Palasai from membership of the JBC to benefit Cambodia in the territorial dispute.
Mr Surapong said the accusation was damaging to his reputation. The court agreed with him.
The lawsuit was initially filed against Mr Chavanont and five other defendants. The suit against the five other defendants was later withdrawn, leaving Mr Chavanont the sole defendant.
The court found Mr Chavanont guilty as charged and sentenced him to two years in jail and a 100,000 baht fine. The jail sentence was suspended for two years because he had never been sentenced in a criminal case before.
The court ordered Mr Chavanont to publish a summary of the court verdict in Krungthepthurakij and Kom Chad Luek newspapers and on their websites for seven consecutive days.
Mr Chavanont said he would appeal.