The Criminal Court acquitted Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee party, today in a defamation suit filed against him by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party.
Thanathorn, now leader of the Progressive Movement, did not attend the reading of the verdict. Warong raised his fist in victory outside the court after the verdict was announced.
Warong has previously been acquitted in two other libel suits, filed against him by Move Forward’s former leader Pita Limjaroenrat and now-defunct Future Forward’s spokesperson Pannika Wanich.
The court found Warong not guilty, noting that the defendant had merely expressed his opinion in good faith.
Warong took the opportunity to criticise all the plaintiffs, saying they should not have wasted time and money in suing others without reason.
In the lawsuit, Thanathorn accused Warong of implying that the party, in collaboration with other parties and activist groups, had offended the monarchy with the intention of overthrowing it while speaking during Facebook live broadcasts in January and February 2021.
