The ruling appointment is the same day as set for the case against Democrat and Progressive Democratic parties, which has been set at 1.30pm. The ruling for TRT is expected to be announced at 2.30pm.

The TRT was accused of hiring candidates of small parties to run in the election on April 2 last year (2006), to avoid the required 20 per cent of votes according to the law, as many of the party's candidates were the only candidate for the constituency.

Four charges against Democrat include joining with the People's Alliance for Democracy to topple and frame the Thai Rak Thai government, hiring MP candidates from the Progressive Democratic Party to frame Thai Rak Thai, obstructing MP candidate registration in Songkhla, and hiring the leader of the Better Life Party to set up Thai Rak Thai.

Democrat is alleged to cooperate with other smaller parties to hire people not to contest in the election.

Referring to TRT trial, Thanit said The plaintiff and the defendants have to hand their closing statements for the case by May 2. They would not need to present their statements verbally.

Thursday was the last hearing for the case relating to TRT, Thai Ground and Pattana Chart Thai parties. Witnesses from the two small parties denied the party receiving money from Thai Rak Thai or any major party.

The Attorney-General last year asked the Constitution Court to rule party dissolution for TRT, Democrat and three small parties because of alleged electoral fraud in the April 2 election.

The last hearing for electoral fraud case against Democrat and Progressive Democratic parties took place on April 5. The tribunal requires them to file their closing statements for the case by April 25.

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation