THAILAND: Court dismisses Sant's defamation lawsuit

Court drops case against former editor and publisher of Ban Muang newspaper citing lack of concrete evidence

Bangkok Post
Wednesday, February 16, 2005

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Amnuay Saiyai, former editor and publisher of Ban Muang newspaper, filed by former national police chief Pol Gen Sant Sarutanont over reports of alleged sexual harassment against a female reporter of a television station.

The lawsuit stated that Mr Amnuay between June 4-16, 2003 had published reports in the Ban Muang newspaper accusing Pol Gen Sant, Pol Maj-Gen Pongsaphat Pongchaoren, then police spokesman, Pol Maj-Gen Surasit Sangkhapong, then commander of the Crime Suppression Division, and Pol Maj-Gen Trithot Ronnaritwichai, then commander of Special Branch Division 2, of sexual harassment against a female TV reporter.

The court, judging from testimonies given by witnesses from both sides, found no solid evidence to affirm that the newspaper reports were defamatory.

Date Posted: 2/16/2005