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Media Editor Sues Politician Over Defamation, Demands Clear Withdrawal

Media Editor Sues Politician Over Defamation, Demands Clear Withdrawal

Matichon•Politics•1h ago

Reader Briefing

A media editor sought parliamentary intervention after a politician filed a 50 million baht defamation lawsuit, demanding formal withdrawal and protection for press freedom.

  • •The Isaan Record's editor filed a complaint at Parliament against a politician who sued for 50 million baht.
  • •The lawsuit is seen as an attempt to silence the media and a form of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation).
  • •The editor is demanding transparency regarding the withdrawal of the lawsuit and protection for investigative journalism.
  • •Concerns were also raised about a minister's alleged involvement in a bribery case in Finland and calls for NACC action.

Overview

  • •On March 25, 2026, N.S. Hathairat Phonthap, Executive Editor of The Isaan Record, submitted a complaint to Parliament.
  • •N.S. Hathairat Phonthap sought an investigation into a politician and powerful individuals misusing their authority against journalists.
  • •The complaint followed a 50 million baht defamation lawsuit filed by Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, on March 21.
  • •N.S. Hathairat Phonthap stated that being sued as a journalist is like receiving a medal of honor.
  • •The lawsuit is considered an infringement on media freedom and a blow to the morale of the editorial team, who have been reporting on berry pickers' issues for over 3 years.
  • •Although Mr. Suchart authorized the withdrawal of the lawsuit, stating the journalist acted in good faith, official confirmation has not yet been received.
  • •N.S. Hathairat Phonthap urged relevant agencies to transparently clarify the case status and issue a written, public announcement if the lawsuit is withdrawn.
  • •Parliament members Mr. Sahasawat Khumkhong and Senator Mr. Thewarit Maneechai expressed support, linking the issue to parliamentary debates in 2025 and broader concerns about political pressure on the media and human trafficking.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Hathairat Phonthap
"Being sued as a journalist is like receiving a medal of honor."
การถูกฟ้องร้องในฐานะนักข่าวเป็นเหมือนการได้เหรียญเกียรติยศ
Hathairat Phonthap
"Requesting involved parties to clarify the case status transparently. If the lawsuit is withdrawn, it should be announced in writing and published publicly."
ขอให้ผู้เกี่ยวข้องชี้แจงสถานะคดีอย่างโปร่งใส หากมีการถอนฟ้อง ขอให้ประกาศเป็นลายลักษณ์อักษรและเผยแพร่ต่อสาธารณะ
Hathairat Phonthap
"Requesting relevant agencies to protect media freedom and assure that media can perform investigative duties."
ขอให้หน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้องคุ้มครองสิทธิเสรีภาพของสื่อมวลชนและให้ความ มั่นใจว่า สื่อสามารถปฏิบัติหน้าที่เชิงสืบสวนได้
Hathairat Phonthap
"Appealing to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to expedite this case straightforwardly."
ขอเรียกร้องไปยังคณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ (ป.ป.ช.) ให้เร่งดำเนินการในคดีนี้อย่างตรงไปตรงมา
Thewarit Maneechai
"This will be used as a case study. Media may have various perspectives, but this case has a broad impact."
ตนจะนำมาเป็นกรณีศึกษา และสื่ออาจมีหลายมุมมอง แต่กรณีนี้กระทบต่อมุมกว้าง
Sahasawat Khumkhong
"This matter must not end here as it creates an opening for human trafficking."
เรื่องนี้ต้องไม่จบแค่นี้เพราะเป็นการเปิดช่องให้เกิดการค้ามนุษย์
Sahasawat Khumkhong
"If we truly love the nation and its people, we must protect Thai people and the nation's reputation."
หากเรารักชาติ และประชาชนในประเทศนี้จริง เราควรต้องปกป้องคนไทย ปกป้องชื่อเสียงของชาติ

Key Entities

Organization

The Isaan Record
A media organization whose executive editor is involved in a defamation lawsuit.
Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️
The upper house of the Thai Parliament, one of whose members is Mr. Thewarit Maneechai, who supported the complaint.
Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection, Senate(คณะกรรมาธิการ (กมธ.) การพัฒนาการเมือง การมีส่วนร่วมของประชาชน สิทธิมนุษยชน สิทธิ เสรีภาพ และการคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค วุฒิสภา)
A parliamentary committee within the Senate, of which Senator Thewarit Maneechai is a member.
Department of Special Investigation (DSI)(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ (ดีเอสไอ))
A government agency that has reportedly taken up the berry pickers' case as human trafficking and is involved in other investigations mentioned by Hathairat Phonthap.
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)(คณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ (ป.ป.ช.))ℹ️
The anti-corruption body to which a bribery case in Finland, allegedly involving Mr. Suchart Chomklin and Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, has been referred.
EC(กกต.)ℹ️
The Election Commission, mentioned in context of a lawsuit filed against media during elections.

Person

Sahasawat Khumkhong(นายสหัสวัต คุ้มคง)
Member of Parliament for Chonburi, People's Party, who supports the complaint.
Thewarit Maneechai(นายเทวฤทธิ์ มณีฉาย)
Senator and member of the parliamentary committee on political development. He expressed support for the media editor's complaint.
Hathairat Phonthap(น.ส.หทัยรัตน์ พหลทัพ)
Executive Editor of The Isaan Record, who filed a complaint with Parliament regarding a defamation lawsuit and the protection of media freedom.
Suchart Chomklin(นายสุชาติ ชมกลิ่น)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who filed a 50 million baht defamation lawsuit against Hathairat Phonthap.
Anutin Charnvirakul(นายอนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️
Prime Minister, questioned regarding potential ministerial appointments of individuals accused in a bribery case.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️
The venue where the complaint was lodged.

Law

SLAPPℹ️
Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, a legal tactic described as being used to silence journalists.