Thai media activist fights lawsuit

By Simon Montlake
BBC News, Bangkok

Supinya Klangnarong could face up to two years in jail

An outspoken activist has gone on trial in Thailand, accused of defaming a company owned by the family of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Shin Corporation told a criminal court in Bangkok that the activist's comments, published in a Thai newspaper, had affected its reputation.

The newspaper is also a defendant in the lawsuit.

The case has attracted attention from international media groups who say it is a blow to free speech in Thailand.

Supinya Klangnarong runs a tiny campaign group that lobbies for media reform in Thailand.

Two years ago, in an interview with a local newspaper, she accused Mr Thaksin of a conflict of interest over the fortunes of his family's company, Shin Corporation.

The article pointed to a huge increase in the company's profits since Mr Thaksin took power in 2001.

Shin Corporation responded with a criminal lawsuit against Miss Supinya and the Thai Post, the newspaper that published her comments.

If found guilty, the defendants could face up to two years in jail.

Mr Thaksin has not commented publicly on the case.

His critics, though, claim the lawsuit will stifle public debate at a time when the government is assuming special emergency powers to deal with a separatist insurgency in southern Thailand.