Bangkok: The Constitutional Court accepted the amendment of the petition submitted by 92 senators to investigate Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice. The investigation focuses on alleged collusion in the senator selection process, proposed as a special case, and dismissed the request for temporary protection.
According to Thai News Agency, the Constitutional Court convened to review a petition from Pol. Lt. Col. Chatchawan Saengphet and 92 senators. The petition was submitted to the Senate President, accusing Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai and Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong of using the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to interfere in the senator selection process. The petition claims this act as a violation of the principles of separation of powers and the rule of law, suggesting both officials have seriously violated ethical standards under the Constitution.
Subsequently, the senators submitted an additional petition on April 2, 2025, requesting amendments to the original petition from March 19, 2025. The amendments included authorizing Pol. Lt. Col. Chatchawat to represent the senators in all proceedings related to the case and requesting temporary measures against the defendants.
The Constitutional Court's unanimous decision allowed the petitioners to amend the original petition and send the additional petition to the defendants as per the Constitutional Court Procedure Act. However, the Court dismissed the request for temporary measures before a decision, following the Constitutional Court Procedure Act and related regulations.
Pol. Lt. Col. Chatwarat is acknowledged as the authorized representative to manage all actions, including amending petitions, submitting witness lists, and conducting trial processes on behalf of the senators until the case concludes.