Bangkok: The Constitutional Court has ordered the Attorney General to provide clarification within 15 days regarding a petition filed by "Natthaphon" in the Senate collusion case, which implicates the Election Commission, the Bhumjaithai Party, and the Senate in alleged attempts to overthrow the government. The court's decision to request this information will determine whether the case will proceed to a formal ruling.
According to Thai News Agency, the Constitutional Court reviewed the petition submitted by Mr. Nattaporn Toprayoon, a former advisor to the Ombudsman. The petition accuses 12 defendants, including the Election Commission and its Secretary-General, of conducting the senator election process dishonestly and unfairly in violation of constitutional and legal standards. It alleges that these actions were intended to benefit the Bhumjaithai Party, its executive committee, and several senators, including Mr. Newin Chidchob and Mrs. Karuna Chidchob.
Mr. Nattaporn initially filed his petition with the Attorney General on May 15, 2015, citing Section 49, paragraph three of the Constitution. However, the Attorney General did not address the petition within the mandated 15-day period. Consequently, Mr. Nattaporn approached the Constitutional Court to request a ruling under Section 49 of the Constitution. He seeks an order for the defendants to cease actions perceived as attempts to undermine the democratic regime with the King as the head of state. Moreover, he requests that ministers and members of the House of Representatives from the Bhumjaithai Party, named in the Election Commission's investigation report, be suspended from their duties pending a court ruling.
The Constitutional Court, aiming to facilitate its decision on whether to accept the petition, has sent a formal request to the Attorney General. The request asks for detailed information on the actions taken in response to Mr. Nattaporn's petition and the evidence gathered thus far. The Attorney General has been given 15 days to respond from the date of receiving the court's request.