"The Constitution Tribunal has already received Thaksin's written testimony and the Attorney-General's opposition for consideration," Tribunal member ML Krairerk Kasemsant said.

"Although the Attorney-General has sought information from Thaksin about the party's selection of candidates in the South, and the involvement of Thamarak Isarangura [deputy party leader] in the selection, Thaksin has already given evidence about that and denied all allegations. So there's no need to summon this witness," he said.

Krairerk said the plaintiff could get the information from other witnesses.

The Attorney-General's representative, Atthapol Yaisawang, said he would have to discuss with the Attorney-General and his legal team whether to insist that the Tribunal summon Thaksin.

Thai Rak Thai was accused of hiring small parties to run in the April 2 election last year so that its candidates, running unopposed in certain constituencies, would not have to win 20 per cent of votes required by law to win under those circumstances.

Thamarak and Thai Rak Thai deputy secretary-general Pongsak Ruktapongpisal were accused of representing the party in hiring the candidates from small parties.

Yesterday was the first time the defendants' witnesses were heard in the electoral fraud case against Thai Rak Thai, Pattana Chart Thai and Thai Ground parties.

Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang and the party's acting executives, Pongthep Thepkanchana and Prommin Lertsuridej, all testified.

Chaturon said he did not know about the hiring of smaller parties, as it was not discussed in the party's executive meeting.

"I didn't know about it and I don't want to know the details. And I still don't want to know about it," he said. But he admitted that he knew something about the case because of the media coverage.

Chaturon said he did not agree with the argument that because Thai Rak Thai would benefit from the hiring of smaller parties, this was proof of its guilt. He said the party abided by the law, while breaking the law could ruin its reputation.

He said that even if the defendants were convicted, the verdict should not result in the party's dissolution as this would affect most of the party's former executives, as well as its members, who didn't know about the hiring.

Meanwhile, Pongthep, who also heads the party's legal team, said Thamarak had no authority to spend the party's money. Expenses had to be approved in the executive meeting and managed by the treasurer.

The Tribunal has changed the schedule for the case's last hearing from April 17 to April 12.

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation