Appeals Court slaps suspended jail term on Suthep for defaming Prommin
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The Court of Appeals yesterday slapped a suspended four-month jail sentence and a Bt2,000 fine on former Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban for defaming former Thai Rak Thai executive Prommin Lertsuridej.
The court also overturned the Criminal Court’s acquittal of Suthep in a case related to the April 2, 2006 general election. The Appeals Court also reminded Suthep that as a senior politician he should be cautious when making a public statement.
Prommin filed a lawsuit with the Criminal Court naming the Democrat Party, its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, then party secretary-general Suthep and then party spokesman Ong-art Klampaibool as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.
The suit alleged that Suthep had held a press conference on March 16 to allege that an influential group was interfering in the April 2 election.
The Criminal Court acquitted the four defendants on grounds that Suthep had a witness who testified that he overheard Prommin saying small parties were hired to contest in the election.
But the Appeals Court ruled that Suthep should have backed his allegations with facts instead of using hearsay that damaged the Prommin’s reputation. However, it acquitted the Democrat Party, Abhisit and Ong-art on grounds that they did not take part in the press conference.
Initially, the Appeals Court sentenced Suthep to six months in jail and a Bt3,000 fine but commuted the penalties by a third on grounds that his testimony was useful for the trial.
The court suspended the jail term for one year and ordered Suthep to publish the ruling on Page 1 or Page 3 of the Daily News, Thai Rath and Matichon newspapers for three consecutive days.
