Thailand regulatory agency tries to squelch debate by suing researcher and journalist


Posted on September 7, 2013  /  1 Comments

Duenden Nikomborirak is a highly respected researcher. We have worked closely with her over the years. I was shocked to hear that the Thai regulatory agency had sued her (and the journalist who interviewed her) for libel. The robust debate and discussion essential for effective regulation cannot occur if researchers are sued for expressing their scholarly opinions. I am happy that the NBTC is withdrawing the case, but this is an action that should not have been taken in the first place.

Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) researcher Duenden Nikomborirak told Thai PBS reporter Nattha Komolvadhin during an interview last week that the committee’s decision could cause the country…

Full report
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1 Comment


  1. Another of our colleagues, Pirongrong Ramasoota, weighs in on the debate: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/368431/does-nbtc-lawsuit-signal-a-new-chilling-effect