Khaosod acquitted of Buddha Issara's libel charge

[webfact]

Khaosod Acquitted of Buddha Issara's Libel Charge

By Khaosot English


File photo of Buddha Issara, a core leader of the anti-government movement against former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, on 9 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Khaosod newspaper has been acquitted of libel charges filed by Buddha Issara, an ultra-royalist Buddhist monk who led protests against the former government last year.

Buddha Issara, a core leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), sued Matichon and Khaosod newspapers, which own Khaosod English, in April 2014.

The monk accused the newspapers of libel for publishing comments from the head of the Office of National Buddhism (ONAB) that criticized Buddha Issara for ordaining novices at a protest site on Chaeng Wattana Road in northern Bangkok.

According to the ONAB director-general, Nopparat Benjawatananun, Buddha Issara was not qualified to preside over the ordinations.

Today the Criminal Court threw out the lawsuit on the grounds that Buddha Issara’s libel charge "did not have sufficient basis."

From January - May of last year Buddha Issara led the PCAD's semi-autonomous hardline faction in northern Bangkok. The guards protecting his unit made headlines with their violent run-ins with innocent bystanders, police officers, and rival pro-government protesters.

Throughout the protests, Buddha Issara repeatedly called for former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to be replaced by an unelected leader. He argued that His Majesty the King had the royal authority to unilaterally appoint a new Prime Minister.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1421904693


-- Khaosod English 2015-01-22

[chooka]

Is the Mad Monk still around?

[lildragon]

Red rag boasting there triumph over the the insane, politically motivated fascist monk.

A microcosm of Thailand right there folks.

[aussieinthailand]

Good now drag his ass off too gaol for extortion intimidation, deprivation of liberty, just to name a few, and his mate the other fake monk Suthep, but his crimes go a lot further back

[rubl]

Good now drag his ass off too gaol for extortion intimidation, deprivation of liberty, just to name a few, and his mate the other fake monk Suthep, but his crimes go a lot further back

Allegedly that is. We wouldn't like to defame someone here, now wouldn't we ?

[Emster23]

"publishing comments from the head of the Office of National Buddhism (ONAB) that criticized Buddha Issara for ordaining novices at a protest site on Chaeng Wattana Road in northern Bangkok."

Hmm love the laws here: libelous to print the news. If the farce were to be targeted at the proper person, wouldn't that be head of the office? Will this disgrace to Buddhism and Thailand ever be thrown out of the order? maybe he could join the mad monk of Myanmar.

[binjalin]

fake is as fake does

[h90]

Isn't he one of the santi asok buddhists? Or do I confuse something? They aren't in the mainstream Buddhism organizations.

But I don't know enough, someone know more?

[khaowong1]

No h90, he's not.