Thai Criminal Court to launch judicial review into defamation suit filed by "red-shirts"

Thai Criminal Court on Friday has decided to launch a judicial review into a defamation suit filed by anti-government "red-shirt" core leader Jatuporn Promphan,the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Jatuporn, who is also opposition Pheu Thai Party (PTT) MP, has charged ruling Democrat Party MP Watchara Phetthong for libel by describing him as a lackey of the Shinawatra family (of ousted former Thai Premier Thaksin).

According to the Nation online, Watchara's remarks, made last September, have also labelled Jatuporn as a liar.

The Criminal Court has scheduled to commence trial on Oct 4.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September, 2006, in accusation of massive corruption, and kept in exile since then. Thaksin returned to Thailand in February, 2008 to face corruption charges, but he later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.

Source: Xinhua