Thailand's Criminal Court Thursday found media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul guilty for defaming former deputy prime minister Pridiyathorn Devakula and sentenced him to serve two years in jail.

The defamation case was brought against Sondhi by Pridiyathorn, the website by Bangkok Post reported.

Also, named as defendants were Thai Day Dot Com Co, the Manager Media Group and Khunthong Lorseriwanich, editor and publisher of the Phujadkarn daily.

In a television program aired on News1 ASTV on Jan 12, 2007, Sondhi accused Pridiyathorn of allowing an old power clique to operate the two- and three-digit lottery, trying to protect former Revenue Department chief Sirote Sawasdipanich, who failed to examine sales of Ample Rich shares to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, and allowing the transfer of Shin Corporation shares without paying tax, according to the lawsuit.

The court has sentenced Sondhi to two years imprisonment, Thai Day Dot Com to a 200,000 baht (5,880 U.S. dollars) fine, and Khunthong to a one-year suspended jail term and a fine of 30,000 baht (882 U.S. dollars).

Sondhi said he will appeal the court verdict and fight to the Supreme Court.

Source: Xinhua