AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN DREW NOYES ‘TOO ILL’ TO ATTEND COURT

Drew Walter Noyes former publisher of the Pattaya Times newspaper which folded two years ago but which retains an internet presence failed to turn up at Bangkok Criminal Court today to face libel and computer crime act charges brought by journalist Andrew Drummond.


His partner Wanrapa Boonsu however did turn up and was bailed in the sum of 100.000 Thai baht.

Noyes, 59, had told the court through his lawyers that he was ill having just returned from the United States.

Lawyers produced a doctor’s certificate. He is expected to be ill until May 13th, said his lawyer.

The case was adjourned until June 16th when he will have to pay bail.

The following week Drew Noyes and Wanrapa Boonsu are due to start their defence in Pattaya Provincial Court on a charge of attempting to extort the Thonglor Clinic Jomtien out of 7 million Thai baht.

Drew Noyes recently lost his appeal against a decision by judges at Pattaya Provincial Court to reject charges of criminal libel and libel against the Computer Crimes Act he had attempted to bring against Andrew Drummond for publishing a picture with the caption ‘Going to Jail’.

A similar case was also brought by Wanrapa Boonsu, which reached trial at which Drummond was found not guilty. She is appealing the verdict.