Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has demanded an apology from Nation TV over the channel airing a doctored clip in which he appeared to be having a conversation with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"I am demanding Nation [TV] apologise to me and the people who heard this content," he told Nation TV on Wednesday.
Nation TV broadcast a recording of a conversation it suggested was between the FFP leader and Thaksin on its Khao Khon Khon Nation programme on Tuesday night.
Kanok Ratwongsakul, a co-anchor of the programme, said before putting the clip on air, "I want you to listen to a clip going viral on social media. I am not sure whose voices they are."
Kanok did not mention Mr Thanathorn or Thaksin by name, but the graphic accompanying it appeared to represent them and the voices were similar.
In part of the conversation, a voice similar to Mr Thanathorn's says: "I think I could get 20 [seats]."
Netizens closely examined the clip and concluded the conversation was doctored. The voice of Thaksin was spliced, originating from at least two separate occasions. One was from his meeting with students at Samsenwittayalai School and another was an interview with BBC Thai.
Nation TV later interviewed Mr Thanathorn by phone on another programme, and he insisted that the clip was a fake.
"Have you talked to Khun Thaksin in person?" he was asked during the programme.
Mr Thanathorn criticised Nation TV for trying to turn the tables, asking him to prove his innocence instead of taking responsibility for the broadcast.
"What Nation TV is trying to do is to push the burden of proof on to the accused," he said.
Nation TV managing director Chatchai Pokogwai said the station followed ethical standards and its show did not name anyone.
However, after social media users linked the audio clip with Mr Thanathorn and Thaksin, he said the channel gave Mr Thanathorn a chance to state his case.
"If Mr Thanathorn thinks Nation TV's reporting caused damage to his reputation, he can take legal action or file complaints, exercising his legal rights to the full," he said, adding that if Mr Thanathorn caused damage to his channel, it has the right to sue him too.
