A court has dismissed defamation charges filed by a gold mining company against local activists, ruling that the defendants deserve the right to reveal useful information to the public.
On 9 November 2016, the Bangkok Criminal Court dismissed the lawsuit filed by Akara Resources Public Company Ltd against Somlak Hutanuwat and Thanyarat Sindhornthammthat, reported iLaw. Somlak and Thanyarat are anti-mine activists in Phichit Province.
In March, the defendants, anti-mine activists in Phichit Province, posted messages on Facebook alleging that Akara Resources had been exempted from taxation by a privilege granted by Thailand’s Board of Investment. The plaintiff then filed a charge against them for defamation and breaching the controversial Computer Crimes Act, the law against the importation of illegal online information.
The plaintiff claimed that the defendants’ messages could create the mistaken belief that the company avoids all kinds of taxation. In fact, the company was only exempted from personal income tax and continues to pay other taxes such as property tax.
However, the court today ruled that the defendants have the right to reveal factual information to the public, especially when it involves taxation, which is a public interest.
Prachatai English is an independent, non-profit news outlet committed to covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite pressure from the authorities. Your support will ensure that we stay a professional media source and be able to meet the challenges and deliver in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”