Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul | |
---|---|
สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล | |
Sukhothai, Thailand | |
Alma mater | |
Occupations |
|
Years active |
|
Spouse | Chanthip Limthongkul |
Children | Jittanart Limthongkul |
Sondhi Limthongkul (
Starting his career as a journalist, he later founded
In April 2009, Abhisit faced massive anti-government protests led by the pro-Thaksin red shirts which caused the Fourth East Asia Summit to be canceled and was followed by riots in Bangkok. Days after the Bangkok unrest was quelled by military force, gunmen ambushed Sondhi's car, a black Toyota Vellfire, at a petrol station. They shot out the tires, and fired over 100 M-16 and AK-47 assault rifle rounds at the car. The attackers escaped from the scene when Sondhi's followers in another car opened fire on them. Sondhi suffered a serious head wound but remained conscious, standing and lucid before being sent to a hospital for emergency surgery.[1] Sondhi survived the surgery, which involved removing several bullet fragments embedded about half a centimetre deep in his skull. It is not certain who was behind the shooting, though Sondhi's son and PAD's spokesmen speculated that a faction of the military or police might have been behind it.[2][3]
On 6 September 2016, the
The media mogul
Sondhi founded Manager Daily in 1982 after several ventures in publishing. The newspaper became his personal mouthpiece, and he used the profits to build a publishing, broadcasting, and telecommunications empire.
During Bloody May in 1992, Sondhi and his media played a significant role in opposing the then military government's crackdown on protesters, issuing a free special tabloid on the events when the government threatened to shut down his newspaper.
By 1996, he had over US$600 million in assets. His business faced a meltdown following the
In 2005, Viroj Nualkhair was dismissed from the KTB after incurring over 40 billion baht in problem loans. Sondhi then began criticizing Thaksin using the media under his control, including satellite broadcaster ASTV. He founded the
Citing the claimed failure of popular democracy in Thailand, Sondhi has suggested constitutional amendments that some members of parliament should be chosen by profession, a proposal that was seen as 'undemocratic' by his opponents.[10][11] Closely affiliated with Queen Sirikit and prominent royalists, Sondhi regularly invoked king Bhumibol Adulyadej in his protests, and has claimed that his enemies are disloyal to the monarchy, aiming at destroying the country's political form.[12][13][14] Sondhi has openly called for the military and Thailand's traditional elite to take a greater role in politics.[15]
Early life and career (pre-1982)
Sondhi was born in
Returning to Thailand, he worked for the newspaper Prachatipatai (Democracy) as a reporter and managing editor in 1973 and 1974. He wrote several exposés of the political developments that led to the student protests and bloodshed on October 14, 1973, an event which brought down the military government of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and led to a restoration of democracy.
In 1976, he set up the Advance Media Group with real estate investor Paul Sittiamnuay. The group produced four publications, including a short-lived English-language daily called Business Times (not connected with the current Business Times), with Sondhi as an editor. The newspaper collapsed after Paul Sittiamnuay was investigated over a real estate scandal, went bankrupt and fled the country.
In 1979, Sondhi set up his own company, Karawek, which published a women's magazine, Pooying, from 1980 to 1982.
The Manager era (1982–1997)
In 1982, Sondhi established the business monthly Phoojatkarn (Manager), which he produced in a room in his father's house. Phoojatkarn Monthly was soon a success, and four years later Sondhi began a weekly with the same name. He later published a daily newspaper, Phoojadkarn Rai Wan. Phoojatkarn Daily has often been regarded as Sondhi's personal mouthpiece.
Sondhi eventually established a publishing house called the Manager Group (also known as the M Group), as a holding company for his media outlets. Among the companies he purchased were the IT firms SCT and Micronetic, and the handset retailer IEC. IEC was the exclusive handset retailer for Nokia phones, and its major customers were the two rival mobile-phone groups Advanced Info Service, which belonged to future prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Total Access Communication (later known as DTAC).
During this period, Sondhi also expanded into English-language publishing, with an English edition of Manager, the Hong Kong-based monthly Asia Inc, and a regional daily newspaper the
Before taking IEC public in 1992, Sondhi allotted a 17.5 per cent stake in the company to Thaksin. Thaksin bought the stake at Bt10 per share. After the listing, IEC's share price shot up to THB 250 each and Thaksin sold out his stake. Sondhi said Thaksin made between THB 600 million to THB 700 million from the IEC float. Sondhi wrote in his book, "One Must Know How To Lose Before Knowing How To Win", that he felt that Thaksin was a free rider and did not want to do business with him.
The Manager Group-led Asia Broadcasting and Communications Network (ABCN) set up its satellite project, Lao Star Co – which was worth about THB 9 billion – as a joint venture with the Laotian government in 1995. Lao Star appointed Space System/Loral to build two L-Star satellites and L-Star 1 was set to officially launch to provide digital direct-to-home TV programmes in 1998. L-Star 2 was to be put into orbit in 1999. The project was planned to serve around 2 billion people in the Asia Pacific region, including India and China. Later ABCN enlisted DTAC's parent, United Communication Industry Plc (Ucom), to back its business.
IEC also provided a bulk of the mobile-phone airtime to DTAC before purchasing the 1800 MHz frequency from DTAC to develop its own mobile-phone operator Wireless Communication Service (WCS). WCS offered the service under the brand Digital 01.
Sondhi expanded and diversified widely. He owned a hotel in China's Yunnan province, ran a cement factory in Vietnam, and set up a regional business conference company. Most of his investments were woven in a complex series of cross-shareholdings. Sondhi himself kept few direct holdings in any of the companies, but was ultimately in control through his ownership of holding companies like M Group and other holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Such a structure minimized Sondhi's tax bill and provided maximum protection in case of financial difficulties.[20]
In 1996, Fortune magazine had put Sondhi's assets at US$600 million (or THB 12 billion at the exchange-rate of THB 25 to a US dollar). He received an
Bankruptcy and anti-Democrat period (1997–2001)
Following the
Sondhi's companies were also investigated for irregular inter-company transactions. IEC guaranteed a THB 1.2 billion baht loan by M group in 1996, but never disclosed this guarantee to the public. M Group later defaulted on the loan, sending IEC into bankruptcy[21]
Auditors of Eastern Printing, Sondhi's SET-listed printing company, noted that its huge losses partially stemmed from loans to associated companies and the establishment of off-balance accounts to related publishing companies. For example, in its 2000 financial statement, Sondhi-linked companies Asia Inc and FRYE Smith (USA) Co owed Bt59.86 million and Bt125.79 million respectively to Eastern Printing. Likewise, according to its 2000 financial statements, Manager Media lent Bt1.061 billion to related publishers, under guarantee from Sondhi.[22]
The Manager Group furiously attacked the Democrat-led government over its management of the economic crisis during its time in office from late 1997 to 2000. This included scathing attacks on Finance Minister Tharin Nimmanhaeminda for his emergency financing agreements with the IMF and Deputy Prime Minister Sawit Bhodhivihok for his policy of privatizing the state-owned electricity sector.
The Thaksin Era (2001–2006)
Pro-Thaksin Period
After the election of Thaksin Shinawatra as Prime Minister in 2001, Manager Daily lauded Thaksin's leadership, calling him Thailand's best prime minister ever.
Emerging from bankruptcy, Sondhi started his own TV show, 'Thailand Weekly' airing on MCOT's channel and co-hosted by Sarocha Pornudomsak. He also invested in two TV channels, 11/1 and 11/2 – a split from Television of Thailand Channel 11. A Democrat MP alleged that the Thaksin government gave favors to Sondhi and his companies.[23]
In July 2003, Sondhi wrote in his newspaper predicting the
Origins of the Anti-Thaksin Period
In 2004, state-owned
Some claimed that the financial disagreement caused Sondhi's criticism of Thaksin's government. In July 2004, Sondhi's Channel 11/1 was temporarily ordered to stop broadcasting because of a contract dispute between cable operator UBC and the government regulator.[26][27] Sondhi's criticism of Thaksin grew steadily throughout 2004 and 2005. He began criticizing Thaksin's government on the conflict of interest on the national petroleum company. With weekly critics on his Muangthai Rai Sapda (Thailand Weekly) television show, Thaksin's opposition received much attention.
In September 2005,
The Luang Ta Maha Bua incident
On 27 September 2005, Phoochatkarn Daily published a sermon by
The sermon was seen by many as extremely critical of Thaksin, especially as it came from a monk. Especially controversial were the following passages:"They complained to me about PM Thaksin and Mr. Visanu and two other people that I don't remember. This is the big ogre (Thai: ตัวยักษ์ใหญ่), big power. Atrocious power will swallow our country, bite the liver and lungs and aim for the presidency ... He will put a torch to the country. He will never listen ... This savagery and atrocity appear in every aspect of him ... All he has are things to be used for burning."
"He is clearly aiming for the presidency now. The monarch trampled, the religion trampled, the country trampled, by this savage and atrocious power in a few people in the government circle. That is the circle of ogres, of ghosts, of trolls, of demons (Thai: ยักษ์วงผีวงเปรตวงมาร), all in there ... So even Devadatta [an enemy of the Buddha] saw the harm he caused, and he was rewarded for his good deed. He would attain Buddhahood (Thai: พระปัจเจกพุทธเจ้า). For those who have made mistakes, if we see the harm we cause, we can still get by. But what is it with Thailand? What kind of governance?"
"They even dare to accuse Luangta Maha Bua of playing politics. Politics, dog shit (Thai: การบ้านการเมืองขี้หมาอะไร). There's only shit all over the country. I brought the Buddha's dharma to cleanse in order for them to repent and recognize good and evil. Because they're the government. The world flatters them as smart people, but don't be smart down in the toilet (Thai: แต่อย่าฉลาดลงส้วมลงถาน). Don't be smart about putting a torch to the head of everyone in the country, from Nation, Religion, and Monarchy on down. These people will get burned unless they recognize the truth. I'm saddened by all this. How does this come about?"
Thailand has no office of a presidency. The King is the head of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. A president would replace the King - an unthinkable affront to the Thais' reverence for their monarchy. Accusations of aspiration to a presidency are one of the most severe and rare criticisms a Thai politician can receive.
On 11 October 2005, Thaksin sued Sondhi and Manager newspaper for Bt500 million.[32] As monks have traditionally been above criticism, Thaksin could not sue Luang Ta Maha Bua. "This is an exercise of an individual's right to protect his reputation and privacy. The newspaper did not criticise the prime minister fairly as a public official, but rather it took him to task personally, using harsh words, which was damaging to him," said Thana Benjathikul, Thaksin's lawyer.
Thaksin was immediately attacked by Sondhi and accused of gagging the press. Sondhi's lawyer, Suwat Apaipakdi, said that "every newspaper reproduced his [Luang Ta Maha Bua] comments. Why did Thaksin not sue him [Luang Ta Maha Bua]? He chose to sue only the Manager Media Group because it's linked to Khun Sondhi". Thaksin's legal team noted that other newspapers only published selected passages of the sermon, and furthermore, Sondhi had used an allegedly slanderous headline. Respected civil rights lawyer Thongbai Thongpao noted that Thaksin's lawsuit did have merit. He said the lawsuits "do not constitute an attack on freedom of the press".[33]
The lawsuit, along with several other libel cases, was withdrawn after King Bhumibol Adulyadej indirectly advised against such legal action during his annual birthday speech.
The Royal Power / Temple of the Emerald Buddha incident
On 10 April 2005, Thaksin Shinawatra presided over a merit-making ceremony at the
On 9 November 2005, Cabinet secretary-general Bovornsak Uwanno, without showing any evidence, claimed that King Bhumibol Adulyadej had granted permission to Prime Minister Thaksin to preside over a grand merit-making ceremony.[34] This was corroborated by Chaktham Thammasak, who was director-general of the Bureau of National Buddhism at the time of the event. Chaktham stated that the Royal Household Bureau arranged every aspect of the ceremony, including the positioning of the chairs.[35]
On 17 November 2005, the Civil Court issued a gag order on Sondhi to prevent him from making further "royal powers" allegations.[36] This immediately prompted Sondhi to attack Thaksin and accuse him of restricting press freedom.
Sondhi was investigated on two counts of
On 18 November, Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranond harshly warned Sondhi against using the King as a political tool. "Our patience is reaching the breaking point. We may take action if Sondhi does not cease his criticism by citing the monarchy".[38]
All charges were dropped after King Bhumibol Adulyadej advised against further action in his birthday speech on 5 December 2005. However, Sondhi continues to use "We Will Fight for the King" and "Return Power to the King" as rallying cries in his anti-Thaksin protests.
Ongoing political activism
Sondhi hosted an own outdoor talk show throughout late 2005 and early 2006 at
Protests led by Sondhi took on an increasingly critical tone. At a protest in late February 2006, social activist and Buddhist lay leader Sulak Sivaraksa called Thaksin "a pitiful dog", while Auychai Watha, chairman of a north-eastern teachers' group, called for Thaksin's children to "become whores infected with venereal disease." The conduct of the protesters was condemned by the chairman of Amnesty International Thailand. Protesters often harassed journalists and news crews.[40]
Sondhi was harshly criticized for attempting to use the King for his own benefit.[41][42]
Nevertheless, Sondhi's income skyrocketed as a result of his political activism as the demonstration gained wider support from public. Revenues of his media companies increased by no less than 215 million
The Phra Phrom Erawan Shrine incident
In the early hours of 21 March 2006, 27-year-old Thanakorn Pakdeepol entered the popular Phra Phrom Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok and attacked the figure of Brahma with a hammer. After he destroyed the statue, he was immediately attacked and beaten to death by several people who witnesses it. Thanakorn had a history of mental illness and depression.[44]
On his talk show the following day, Sondhi claimed that Thaksin Shinawatra had masterminded the destruction in order to replace the image of Brahma with a "dark force" aligned to Thaksin.[45] Sondhi claimed Thaksin had hired Thanakorn through Khmer (Cambodian) black-magic shamans.[46]
However, the vandal's father, Sayant Pakdeepol, denied the accusation and called Sondhi "the biggest liar I have ever seen". Thaksin called Sondhi's accusations "insane". [citation needed]
The Finland Plot
Starting in May 2006, Sondhi's
Post-2006 Coup
Sondhi and other leaders of People's Alliance for Democracy scheduled a massive demonstration against Thaksin on 20 September 2006. In the days preceding the demonstration, rumours spread that the protest would turn bloody. However, on 19 September 2006, the Thai military, led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, overthrew the Thaksin government, dissolved the Parliament, and abrogated the constitution. Thaksin, abroad at the time, was exiled indefinitely, and several members of his Cabinet were summoned for investigation. Sondhi's protest was cancelled, and the PAD later disbanded itself, claiming it was no longer needed.
Sondhi supported the coup, and later went on an international tour through London, Washington DC, and New York to celebrate with the PAD's expatriate supporters.
Sondhi took a critical stance against the junta when it appointed a few cabinet members who had previously served as civil servants under the Thaksin government.
He later apologized in court to
As a reward for his support, Sondhi was invited by the
Public protests against the junta began in the months after the coup. Sondhi and the People's Alliance for Democracy called the junta to use state-owned news media to "alert" the people to the "evil" of Thaksin Shinawatra and the aim of the demonstrators.[52]
2008 political crisis
As renewed protests by the PAD began against the elected government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Samak said, "I will never resign in response to these threats.I will not dissolve the House. I will meet the king today to report what's going on." He met with King
Protesters also blocked the entrance of the airports in
Allegations against the Sarasin family
On 27 April 2007, Sondhi claimed on his "Yam Fao Phaendin" (Guard of the Land) TV program that an amendment to the anti-corruption law passed by the National Legislative Assembly had been "stuck" for a month after being submitted for royal endorsement, and suggested the "delay" could be due to family ties between
The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary said in a public statement that Arsa had "has no connections whatsoever" with the issue, and that Sondhi made "incorrect allegations" against the royal secretary. "Sondhi's statement indicated that he failed to double-check the facts and had intended to frame and cause damage to Arsa Sarasin and the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary," said a letter sent to Sondhi.[60]
Sondhi issued an apology a few days later, but also publicly warned Arsa that he had no right to use the office of the King's Principal Private Secretary to defend himself in a personal matter. He then accused the King's Principal Private Secretary of speaking with the Attorney General and the Police Commander in order to get charges of lese majeste against Thaksin Shinawatra dropped.[61]
Assassination attempt
Sondhi was reported to have been the target of an assassination attempt on the morning of 17 April 2009. Gunmen firing M-16 and AK-47 rifles shot out his tires at a petrol station in Bangkok and sprayed over 100 bullets into Sondhi's car, wounding Sondhi and seriously wounding his driver.[62] The attackers escaped the scene when Sondhi's followers in another car opened fire on them. Sondhi suffered one wound to the head but was conscious, standing, and lucid before being sent to the hospital for surgery.[1] Sondhi survived the surgery and was visited by relatives afterwards.
Sondhi's son, Jittanart Limthongkul, blamed factions within the military and the Abhisit government of being behind the assassination attempt:
A new form of war is emerging – it's being launched by the collusion of certain police and military officers. They are plotting a new coup. It is said that a minister, who is said to be involved in the attempted assassination of a privy councillor, is actively behind this new exercise.[63]
Privy Councillor Charnchai Likitjitta had recently allegedly been the target of an assassination plot. The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a close aide to Deputy Prime Minister and senior Democrat Party figure Sanan Kachornprasart, on the grounds that the aide masterminded the alleged assassination attempt on privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta.[64]
However, foreign minister and former PAD activist Kasit Piromya claimed that Thaksin was behind the assassination attempt:
Thaksin failed on the populist movement and now I think he has resorted to some sort of assassination attempt.[65]
Kasit revealed that he had planned to have lunch with the Sondhi on the day of the attack. Kasit also claimed that himself, Abhisit, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban were planned targets for assassination, and that he was guarded by several fully armed marines.[66][67]
Meanwhile, Thaksin had the following to say:
It's [the Abhisit] government that has been given the license to kill [due to the state of emergency]. And I have the impression that the phase of "cut-off killings" has begun – in other words, they are eliminating anyone who knows too much about the conspiracy of those in power against me.[68]
Army chief
When questioned about the shooting, Sondhi said that he had "revealed the secrets of a lady who appears close to King Bhumibol" (ผมไปเปิดโปงสุภาพสตรีคนหนึ่ง ซึ่งในภาพแสดงออกว่าเป็นคนใกล้ชิดเบื้องพระยุคลบาท). He did not specify who he was referring to.[71] He also claimed that sources had told him that four of the gunmen had already been "silenced" as of 3 May 2009.[72]
New Politics Party
On 7 October 2009. Sondhi has placed all rival political parties on notice following his election as the new leader of the New Politics Party and also elected the party's 25 executives, by about 2,300 out of some 8,900 members of the party gathered at the Thunderdome stadium at Muang Thong Thani.[73] While interim leader Somsak Kosaisuuk, withdrew their respective nominations to pave way for Sondhi's victory.
Among the elected executives are Somsak as deputy party leader, Suriyasai Katasila as secretary-general, Pratheep Chuenarom as treasurer and Samran Rodphet as spokesman. Apart from the executive board, the party also unveiled its team of advisors which include Sompong Sujaritkul, Chai-Anan Samudavanija, Udon Tontisunthorn, Sompoj Piyaui, Pipob Thongchai, Parnthep Puvanartnurak, Samart Sotesatit, Arthit Urairat, Pichai Ratanadilok, Suwinai Pornvalai, Chavin Leenabanjong, Sombat Bensirimongkol, Prayoon Akrabavorn, Ammarin Korma and Somsak Ismanyee. Then Sondhi stated that the conference marks a new chapter for the Thai politics, and also claims that the NPP and the PAD are one of the same, the PAD can no longer take on the streets to protest do not understand the fundamental of democracy as the NPSP is merely an instrumental of the PAD, the sacrifices of the PAD must be passed on to the party's cause. Therefore, party members, leader, executive members and MPs must also sacrifice for their belief. The PAD has been beaten, shot at and have bombs thrown at but they did not give up because they have faith.[74]
Lastly, Sondhi claimed that they are not looking to challenge other political parties. They are only challenging themselves to bring on the new politics through honesty, bravery, and diligence to bring change to the Thai society for the future generation.[75]
Convicted and jailed for fraud
On 28 February 2012, Sondhi was convicted by a Bangkok Criminal Court of violating the Securities and Exchange Act by falsifying documents to secure a multimillion-dollar loan for his media empire, a case dating back to the 1990s. He was handed the maximum sentence possible.
The Security and Exchange Commission accused him of falsifying documents used as collateral for a loan amounting to almost 1.1bn baht ($36m, £22.7m) for his media business.[76] Sondhi pleaded guilty but was freed on bail pending an appeal against the sentence.[77]
On 6 September 2016, the Supreme Court of Thailand ruled that he, with other three executives of the Manager Media Group Co. he founded, must serve the 20 years in prison sentence ruled by the Appeals Court in 2012. The sentence, according to the Supreme Court, will not be suspended. In the same morning, after the verdict, Sondhi Limthongkul was sent to prison.[4] He was released from jail early on 4 September 2019 on royal pardon.[5]
Convicted of insulting the monarchy
On 1 October 2013, Sondhi was declared guilty of
See also
- Muangthai Raisabdah
- Media in Thailand
- Sondhi may face legal action from Thai Rak Thai party. Wikinews, February 12, 2006
- Sondhi continues using Thailand Weekly show to attack PM. Wikinews, January 14, 2006
- Thai PM sues media critic for one billion Baht. Wikinews, November 17, 2005
- Thai political talk show taken off air. Wikinews, September 15, 2005
References
- ^ a b The Times, Thailand's Yellow Shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul survives assassination attempt, 17 April 2009
- ^ Matichon, "สนธิ"ออกจากห้องผ่าตัด-ปลอดภัยแล้ว พบเศษกระสุนฝังหัว4ชิ้น คาดอีก6วันออก รพ.ได้ หลังเจอยิงถล่มรถพรุน Archived 2009-04-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Thai Talk Archived 2009-04-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Yellowshirt Leader Sondhi Jailed 20 Years for Fraud". khaosodenglish.com. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Ex-PAD co-leader out on royal pardon". Bangkok Post. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ The Nation, Old views haunt govt critic Archived 2008-12-10 at the Wayback Machine, 7 December 2005
- ^ Bloomberg, Oxford Graduate Abhisit Elected in Thai Power Shift, 19 December 2008
- ^ The Telegraph, Thai army to 'help voters love' the government, 18 December 2008
- ^ The Nation, Question loom over new Prime Minister's legitimacy Archived 2009-04-18 at the Wayback Machine, 17 December 2008
- ^ IHT, On 5th day of Thai protests, a carnival atmosphere, 30 August 2008
- ^ BBC, Rifts behind Thailand's political crisis, 27 August 2008
- ^ ABC, Thai PM threatens protestors over slogans, 5 August 2008
- ^ Al Jazeera, Thai PM: 'I will never resign', 31 August 2008
- ^ The Financial Times, Protesters besiege Thai state buildings Archived 2008-12-10 at the Wayback Machine, 27 August 2008
- ^ AFP Thai PM consults king over escalating protests Archived 2009-04-22 at the Wayback Machine, 20 August 2008
- ^ Kasian Tejapira, Toppling Thaksin, NLR 39, May-June 2006
- ^ The misbehaving jeks: The evolving regime of Thainess and Sino-Thai challenges
- ^ Thailand’s Sondhi Running Out of Time After Latest Conviction
- ^ Are We Them? Textual and Literary Representations of the Chinese in Twentieth-Century Thailand
- ^ a b The Nation, "Speedy demise for Sondhi’s empire", 12 April 2002 Archived 26 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Troubled Company Reporter, "SET orders loan guarantee report", 1 November 1999
- ^ The Nation, "A fallen empire finds new lease on life", 10 April 2002 Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "New party, old friends aid Sondhi". Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2006.
- ^ "The Nation, "New party, old friends aid Sondhi", 11 April 2002". Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2006.
- ^ The Nation, The good old days Archived 2008-12-11 at the Wayback Machine, 30 November 2005
- ^ Bangkok Post, UBC complies, drops channel, 2 July 2004 Archived 21 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "AsiaMedia :: THAILAND: UBC to resume televising Channel 11/1". Archived from the original on 2006-05-21. Retrieved 2006-07-18. Bangkok Post, "UBC to resume televising Channel 11/1", 8 July 2004
- ^ The Nation, "Ch 9 drops Sondhi for royal references", 16 September 2005 Archived 7 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Truehits.net Web Traffic". Directory.truehits.net. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "หลวงตามหาบัว เทศน์เรื่อง 'เทวทัตยังรู้โทษ' ฉบับเต็ม". Manager.co.th. Archived from the original on 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "Channeling Luangta Maha Bua ‹ sort of ‹ log ‹ สาระสนเท่ห์". Sanpaworn.vissaventure.com. Archived from the original on 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "The Nation: Sondhi Conflict". Nationmultimedia.com. 2005-10-11. Archived from the original on 2006-09-08. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "Asia Times Online :: Southeast Asia news and business from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam". Atimes.com. 2005-11-02. Archived from the original on 2005-11-04. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Bangkok's Independent Newspaper". Nationmultimedia.com. 2005-11-10. Archived from the original on 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "Bangkok's Independent Newspaper". Nationmultimedia.com. 2005-11-11. Archived from the original on 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "Bangkok's Independent Newspaper". Nationmultimedia.com. 2005-11-17. Archived from the original on 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "The Nation: Sondhi Conflict". Nationmultimedia.com. 2005-11-24. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "Bangkok's Independent Newspaper". Nationmultimedia.com. 2005-11-18. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
- ^ "Channelnewsasia.com". Archived from the original on 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
- ^ The Nation, Non-violence is not simply the absence of physical violence Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, 1 March 2006
- ^ The Nation, "Policeman sues media tycoon for lese majeste", 9 November 2005 Archived 2 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Nation, "Sondhi gets 'warning' letter from guardsmen", 17 November 2005 Archived 2 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ โพสทูเดย์, "แฉอานิสงส์ม็อบกู้ชาติ "สนธิ" ฟาดเดือนละ 215 ล้าน", 23 March 2006
- ^ Man beaten to death after desecrating the Erawan Shrine Archived 2015-08-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Dreaded day dawns – despite lies and dark forces Archived 2008-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Vandal's dad distraught Archived 2012-01-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Nation, "Thaksin clearly wanted republic, critics charge", 25 May 2006
- ^ The Bangkok Post, "Manager sued for articles on 'Finland plot'" Archived 2006-09-17 at the Wayback Machine, 31 May 2006
- RealMedia format)
- ^ The Nation, Media tycoon Sonthi apologises to Chaisit Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, 15 January 2007
- ^ The Nation, Govt must tolerate dissent Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, 21 February 2007
- ^ The Nation,Counter rally held against anti-coup group Archived 2007-08-09 at the Wayback Machine, 23 July 2007
- ^ news.bbc.co.uk, Thai PM Samak refuses to resign
- ^ gulfnews.com/world, Thai minister to stay despite protests Archived 2008-08-31 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ afp.google.com, Thai protesters break into government office as PM heads to consult king Archived 2008-09-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ eleconomista.es, "I will never resign" says besieged Thai PM
- ^ nytimes.com, Thai Protest of Premier Stops Trains and Planes
- ^ news.bbc.co.uk, Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM
- ^ bloomberg.com, Thai Party Calls Urgent Session as Protests Spread
- ^ The Nation, HM's office rebuts Arsa allegations Archived 2008-04-05 at the Wayback Machine, 4 March 2007
- ^ ผู้จัดการออนไลน์, “สนธิ” เตือน “อาสา” อย่าใช้สำนักราชเลขาฯ โยงเรื่องส่วนตัว Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine, 4 พฤษภาคม 2550
- ^ Bloomberg, Thai Protest Leader Sondhi Survives Assassination Bid, 17 April 2009
- ^ The Nation, Sondhi's son alleges "Gestapo" behind his father's assassination attempt Archived 2009-04-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bangkok Post, Sanan aide sought over Charnchai plot, 9 April 2009
- ^ Taiwan News, Thai diplomat accuses ousted leader in shootings Archived 2009-04-26 at the Wayback Machine, 22 April 2009
- ^ Bangkok Post, Thaksin accused of being behind attack on Sondhi, 22 April 2009
- ^ Seoul Times, Assassins Haunt Thailand's Government after Insurrection Is Crushed, 26 December 2008
- ^ Spiegle, 'I'm Like a Rat', 20 April 2009
- ^ Army bullets used in Sondhi attack; retrieved 7:10 PM 4/23/2009
- ^ Thai army says its bullets used in Sondhi attack; retrieved 7:10 PM 4/23/2009
- ^ Manager Online, “สนธิ” เปิดใจครั้งแรก เบื้องลึกปมลอบยิง โยงทหารฮั้วการเมืองเก่า Archived 2011-06-15 at the Wayback Machine, 1 May 2009
- ^ Straits Times, Reds and Yellows alike? Archived 2009-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, 3 May 2009
- ^ The Nation, Sondhi elected as new leader Archived 2012-10-04 at the Wayback Machine, October 7, 2009
- ^ Thai-ASEAN News Network, Sondhi Limthongkul:New Politics Party to Carry on PAD's Ideology Archived 2011-07-25 at the Wayback Machine, 7 October 2009
- ^ Sondhi throws down political gauntlet
- ^ Retrieved BBC News Asia 2012-02-28
- ^ Retrieved The Star Online 2012-02-28
- ^ "Thai royalist sentenced for repeating royal insult". Asian Correspondent. Bristol, England: Hybrid News Limited. Associated Press. October 1, 2013. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
BANGKOK (AP) — The founder of Thailand's royalist Yellow Shirt movement has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for defaming the monarchy by repeating offensive comments made by a political opponent.
- ^ "Thailand: Media mogul Sondhi cleared of insulting monarchy". Asian Correspondent. Bristol, England: Hybrid News Limited. Associated Press. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
BANGKOK (AP) — A Bangkok court has acquitted the founder of Thailand's Yellow Shirt political movement of insulting the monarchy by quoting remarks defaming the royal family.
- ^ Bangkok Post, 18 years in jail for 'Da Torpedo', 28 August 2009
- ^ Fa Dio Kan, "Official Judgement of Daranee Chanchoengsilapakul", July – September 2009 (Year 7, No. 3)
External links
- Asiaweek.com, "Sondhi's Times"
- ManagerOnline Web site
- Thai news about predicting dolloars failure Archived 2005-11-28 at the Wayback Machine from the ManagerOnline Web
- ManagerOnline Web statistics from Truehits.net
- Asia Inc
- Asia Times Online
- Sondhi Limthongkul on CNN | audio clip
- The Good Old Days
- Pro-democracy movement support for the coup Archived 2007-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
- Speech by Sondi and Kraisak Chunhawan Given at RealMedia format)
- whoswho-thailand.com page for Sondhi Limthongkul Archived 2013-12-09 at the Wayback Machine