iLaw Director Petitions Court to Dismiss Defamation Case Filed by Anutin
Yingcheep Atchanont of iLaw has requested the Criminal Court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against him by Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, citing bad faith.
On October 27, 2026, Yingcheep Atchanont, the Director of the legal monitoring group iLaw, submitted a formal petition to the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court. He is seeking the immediate dismissal of a defamation lawsuit initiated by Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The legal dispute stems from public statements made by Yingcheep regarding alleged irregularities in the recent Senate selection process.
In his petition, Yingcheep argues that the lawsuit was filed in bad faith, characterizing it as an attempt to intimidate and silence those who monitor the conduct of political figures. He has invoked Section 161/1 of the Criminal Procedure Code, requesting that the court dismiss the case without conducting a preliminary hearing.
For residents and observers of Thai politics, this case highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and civil society organizations regarding transparency and accountability. The legal proceedings underscore the broader debate surrounding the use of defamation laws in public discourse.
It remains to be confirmed how the Criminal Court will rule on the request for an immediate dismissal under Section 161/1. As this is an ongoing legal matter, the court has yet to determine whether the case will proceed to a full trial or be dismissed as requested by the defendant.
