BANGKOK, Thailand – The Constitutional Court unanimously ordered Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, to suspend his duties overseeing the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and his role as Vice Chairman of the Special Case Board on May 14. The suspension follows allegations of interfering in the Senate election investigation. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who was also named in the petition, was not suspended.
The case stems from a petition submitted by the Senate President, on behalf of a group of senators, seeking a ruling under Sections 170 (paragraph 3) and 82 of the Constitution. The petition questioned whether the ministerial status of Phumtham (respondent no. 1) and Tawee (respondent no. 2) should be terminated under Sections 170 (1)(4) in conjunction with Sections 160 (4) and (5), due to alleged serious ethical misconduct.
The petition alleged that both ministers used their authority to classify other criminal cases as special cases under Section 21 (1)(2) of the Special Case Investigation Act B.E. 2547 (2004), in a manner that interfered with or dominated the functions of the Election Commission. It was further alleged that the DSI was misused to manipulate the vetting of senatorial elections through intimidation and coercion—actions that could violate the separation of powers and the rule of law.
Following additional submissions dated May 7, 13, and 14, the court ruled that further information and documentation were needed from relevant agencies within 15 days to support its deliberations. However, based on the May 14 submission, which requested an interim suspension, the court unanimously found that there was no sufficient suspicion to suspend Phumtham from his ministerial role.
In contrast, the court determined there was sufficient ground for suspicion in Tawee’s case. Given his authority over the Ministry of Justice and the DSI, the court ordered him to immediately cease his duties as Minister of Justice in relation to overseeing the DSI and serving as Vice Chairman of the Special Case Board. This suspension will remain in effect until a final ruling is made by the Constitutional Court. (TNA)
