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The high court ruled to drop the hearing of witnesses and the admission of additional evidence on the grounds that it already had sufficient information to form a verdict.

The abrupt wrap-up of the case is seen as paving the way for a snap election as the outcome of the judicial review will clear uncertainties relating to the fate of the parties.

Court president Chat Chonlaworn said they would be allowed to submit additional arguments in writing as deemed necessary until the deadline but the court would not convene any hearings.

Responding to requests by the defence to summon the three party leaders to give additional testimony on top of their statements given during the investigative stage, Chat said this could be submitted in writing.

PPP deputy leader and party-list MP Karn Thienkaew said it was very likely the PPP would be dissolved as the court was not allowing its 36 executives to make any clarifications. In this case the executives' voting rights must be revoked. Other MPs must move to another party within 30 days, and most of them are moving to the Phue Thai Party.

The next prime minister must come from that party as it will have the most MPs in Parliament, Karn said.

He said he would resign his parliamentary seat to open the way for the next in line on the list to become MP.

A PPP source who asked not to be named said someone very close to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be invited to lead Phue Thai to draw votes from Thaksin's supporters. Among those tipped is General Chaisit Shinawatra, former supreme commander and a cousin of Thaksin.

The source said PPP MPs who were former or current Cabinet members but not PPP executives, including Mingkwan Sangsuwan, Chalerm Yubamrung, Santi Promphat and Somsak Kiartsuranont, might be nominated for prime minister, though this might be interpreted as violating Article 190 of the Constitution, in which case MPs like Chai Chidchob, Apiwan Wiriyachai and Samart Kaewmeechai would have a chance.

Matchima's defence lawyer Chatchai Chookaew said he was surprised at the abrupt decision to fast-track the case.

Chatchai said Matchima leader Anongwan Thepsuthin was expected to personally make the defence summation before the high court.

People Power's defence lawyer Thana Benjathikul said the hearing of witnesses should not have been dropped. Many party executives who had no involvement in the electoral fraud wanted to testify in person to convince the presiding judges of their innocence, he said.

Another PPP source who asked not to be named said the PPP was more likely to be dissolved than the other two parties as the evidence against former deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat for electoral fraud was more damning than in the cases of other party executives.