After a secret ballot cast by the full bench of 84 judges, the special court has been activated to rule on Thaksin's fate and his wife's by due process.

The special court is expected to convene its first session on July 10 to examine the prosecution writ and evidence.

The arraignment hearing is slated for some time in early August when Thaksin and Pojaman are obliged to be present in person.

The nine judges are

- Somsak Netmai, chief judge for commercial and economic litigation;

- Suwat Wanthanahathai, chief judge for intellectual property and international trade litigation;

- Surachart Boonsiriphan, chief judge for environmental litigation;

- Wasan Soipisut, chief judge for juvenile and family litigation;

- Praphan Sapsaeng, chief judge for Criminal Tribunal;

- Somchai Pongsatha, chief judge for bankruptcy litigation;

- Phichit Khamfaeng, chief judge for labour litigation; and

- Thirawat Phatranawat, chief judge for tax litigation.

The defence will have five days to dispute the credentials of the nine judges if it has cause to suspect conflict of interest or prejudice.

Should the two defendants fail to report for arraignment, they will become fugitives with 10 years of statutory limitation.

The Nation