Libel case was very serious but not that unusual
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Ref: "Phongthep visits Pheu Thai politicians jailed for libel", News, yesterday.
The statement from former judge and justice minister Phongthep Thepkanjana about the surprise of the Supreme Court’s verdict is partially correct since, on record, a suspended jail sentence for libel is common. But this case is unique.
It is untrue that this is the first case of a real jail sentence for libel. Former premier Samak Sundaravej was sentenced to jail without suspension by both the first court and Appeals Court, except that Samak died before a judgement by the Supreme Court.
Second, the crime committed was extremely serious in libelling the Constitutional Court president.
Third, the court of first instance did suspend the sentence, but the accused was unsatisfied and appealed. He then received the verdict of the same sentence but without suspension.
Whose fault was that for having to walk to the slammer after the Supreme Court’s judgement that day? His legal advocate, his ego, or the legal men of his party?
Plenty of lessons can be learned from this case – never insult a judge, take a lawyer’s opinion with care because a jail sentence cannot be deputised, be happy with a suspension though judged guilty and forget the advice of your political leaders when your personal liberty is involved.
Songdej Praditsmanont
Bangkok
