10 October 2005

“If he were not a monk...”


Democracy Monument

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed a libel lawsuit today against his former ally Sondhi Limthongkul, owner of the Manager Daily (ผู้จัดการรายวัน) newspaper, seeking ฿500 million in damages. Manager published the full text of a sermon delivered by Luang Ta Maha Bua, a monk who was highly critical of Thaksin.

Speaking on the morning of 27th September from his temple in Udon Thani, the monk accused Thaksin of attempting to userp power from the monarchy. His sermon was published on Manager’s website that evening. Thaksin’s lawyer, Thana Benjathikul, explained that the monk himself would not be sued, as this would cause public disapproval: “If he were not a monk, we would have taken legal action against him”.

Maha Bua’s speech was broadcast online and widely reported in the media, yet Thaksin has singled out Manager for his defamation lawsuit. This makes clear that the case is politically motivated, another example of the vexatious litigation practised by both Thaksin and Sondhi.

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