Chalerm swears he is not gagging
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday denied that he was trying to gag the press in relation to reports about his alleged drunkenness during last Friday's parliamentary session.
“I have targeted seven newspapers to enlist them as witnesses against three Democrats for libel,” he said.
Chalerm added that the Thai Journalists Association should not construe his move as an attempt to intimidate the press and that he was only trying to protect his reputation. He said the real reason behind him targeting the seven newspapers was to seek a confirmation that the three Democrats had actually defamed him during their press interviews.
“Without media professionals confirming the interviews, the three could just deny making those remarks,” he said.
Last week, Chalerm dispatched his lawyers to file a complaint at Samae Dam Police Station, filing a defamation case against seven newspapers and three Democrat MPs – Boonyod Sooktinthai, Rangsima Rodrasamee and Thepthai Senpong.
The Democrats had made the remarks both on and off the House floor about Chalerm being allegedly drunk during the charter debate. The deputy PM had initially singled out four newspapers for spreading libellous remarks and then targeted another three dailies.
The newspapers facing legal action are Thai Rath, Thai Post, Naew Na, Siam Rath, Krungthep Turakij, Kom Chad Luek and ASTV Phujadkarn.
