The Constitutional Court has completed hearings of witnesses and related parties in the case involving former Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham and former Justice Minister Tawee regarding alleged interference in the rigging of the Senate election. The court scheduled the verdict announcement for 21 Jan 2026 GMT+7.
On 24 Dec 2025 at 10:30 GMT+7, the Constitutional Court held witness hearings in the case where the President of the Senate submitted a petition from Senate members requesting the court to rule under the Constitution, Section 170 Paragraph 3 combined with Section 42, whether the ministerial positions of Mr. Phumtham Wetchachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, have terminated individually. This is because both respondents allegedly used the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) as a tool to interfere with the Election Commission's investigation of the Senate election, amounting to harassment, pressure, intimidation, and domination of Senate members who are part of the legislature. This conduct is claimed to show a lack of evident honesty and severe ethical violations under Constitution Sections 160 (4) and (5), leading to termination of their ministerial positions under Sections 170 Paragraph 1 (4) combined with 160 (4) and (5). Witnesses and related parties attending to testify included Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatwattana Saengphet, Senate member; Mr. Phumtham Wetchachai, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, former Minister of Justice; Pol. Lt. Col. Yuttana Praedam, Director-General of DSI; Pol. Lt. Col. Surawut Rangsai, Deputy Director-General of DSI; and Mr. Saeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission.
After more than two hours of witness examination, the Constitutional Court panel announced that the hearing process was complete and requested both parties to submit their written closing statements by 6 Jan 2026. Failure to submit by then will be considered as no objection. The court scheduled an oral presentation of the findings on 21 Jan 2026 at 09:30 GMT+7 and will announce the verdict on the same day at 15:00 GMT+7.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatwattana Saengphet, Senate member, said after the hearing that good people must remain in society. He added that the evidence cited by the DSI is a matter for the Constitutional Court to consider. He stated that those in authority acted accordingly since the 26th investigation committee of the Election Commission had already notified him of allegations, to which he had responded multiple times. Therefore, for updates on the case, inquiries should be directed to the Election Commission.
Mr. Phumtham Wetchachai, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, said there was nothing new in his explanation to the Constitutional Court. He confirmed that he had submitted all required documents completely. This session was for additional questioning, during which he clarified his roles and discussed factual matters regarding his duties. He said he felt at ease even before giving his testimony because there was nothing improper, and he simply performed his role. He added that the matter is now up to the court's judgment.
Afterwards, Mr. Phattharaphong Supaksorn, also known as Attorney Aun Buriram, along with a group of citizens, brought flowers to offer encouragement to Mr. Phumtham and Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong.
