iLaw Chief Asks Supreme Court to Dismiss Anutin Defamation Suit

On October 29, 2026, at the Supreme Court, Yingcheep Atchanont, director of the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), submitted a letter to the President of the Supreme Court. He requested oversight of compliance with the Supreme Court President's guidelines on malicious prosecution in criminal cases (2026), asking the Criminal Court to dismiss the defamation case filed by Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Yingcheep argues the lawsuit falls under malicious prosecution, creating a burden and fear for citizens who expose corruption. The case originated when Anutin authorized Supachai Jaisamut to sue Yingcheep for defamation and defamation by advertisement under Criminal Code Sections 326 and 328. This followed Yingcheep's July 21, 2026 press conference where he submitted a letter to the Opposition Whip Coordinator requesting an investigation into whether government officials were involved in alleged corruption in the 2024 Senate election. Anutin, then Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, was among those named.

iLaw provided partial evidence to the opposition for further verification, noting that a Senate candidate witness had sought Anutin's assistance, and Anutin provided the phone number of Suksumruay Thanthongkul, then a Phumjaithai MP for Amnat Charoen District 1 and currently a Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office. Additional witness testimony indicated Anutin met with Nevin Chidchob and several senators at the Pullman King Power Hotel in Bangkok on the day some elected senators gathered to discuss the Senate President and Vice President elections.

Yingcheep stated this information came from official investigative records, not baseless allegations. Previously, after receiving a Criminal Court summons, Yingcheep wrote to the Criminal Court Chief Judge requesting dismissal under the Supreme Court President's guidelines, citing clauses on prosecution due to a defendant's public interest advocacy and exposure of corruption. He cited Criminal Procedure Code Section 161/1 requiring immediate dismissal without further hearing. Yingcheep now appeals to the Supreme Court President, as the guideline's author, to ensure the Criminal Court complies, arguing the Prime Minister is using litigation to harass, intimidate, and threaten a citizen for exposing Senate election corruption — a legitimate exercise of rights and civic duty.