BANGKOK, Aug 22 (TNA) – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra appeared before the Constitutional Court on Thursday for questioning in a case related to leaked audio recordings of private conversations with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
In a move to accelerate the process, the Constitutional Court has decided to move up the deadline for submitting closing statements from August 27 to August 25. The verdict is still scheduled to be read on August 29. The court also banned the disclosure of the impeachment hearing details, citing national security.
The case was brought by 36 senators who are seeking a ruling on whether the Prime Minister’s position should be terminated. The legal challenge is based on allegations of a serious ethical breach following the release of an audio recording of a conversation between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen. The Prime Minister is accused of failing in her duties by not properly defending the country’s interests during the call.
Ms Paetongtarn appeared in person as the respondent, accompanied by her witness, Chatchai Bangchuad, the secretary-general of the National Security Council. After a two-hour questioning period, Constitutional Court President Nakharin Mektrairat reiterated his earlier statement that, given the case’s implications for national security, the court would prohibit the broadcasting of images and audio during witness testimony. He also barred attendees from disseminating or distorting any details of the hearing that could mislead the public.
The court’s decision to bring forward the deadline for closing statements is intended to give the nine judges more time to write their opinions, according to Nakharin. The deliberation and voting on the verdict remain scheduled for August 29 at 9:30 a.m., with the verdict reading at 3:00 p.m.
In a related development, a group called “Uniting the Power of the Land,” led by activists Jatuporn Prompan and Pichit Chaimongkol, gathered in front of Parliament on Thursday. They were there to follow up on an urgent parliamentary session agenda and to submit a letter demanding the cancellation of MOUs 43 and 44 between Thailand and Cambodia, citing risks to Thai sovereignty. The letter was accepted by the first and second deputy speakers, as well as representatives from several political parties.
Chaichanok Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, stated that his party had submitted an urgent motion to Parliament to form a committee to study ways to cancel the MOUs. He emphasized that the public’s voice should also be heard through a referendum, which he believes would be the definitive solution to the bilateral talks.
Meanwhile, People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome said that the actions and time would show his party’s sincerity toward the nation. He promised to prioritize national interest and acknowledged that he would have to accept it as a representative of the people, even if the public does not believe in him.(TNA) -813.
