BANGKOK — The Constitutional Court has moved the deadline for closing statements in the high-profile case involving suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and 36 senators to August 25, two days earlier than originally scheduled. The verdict will be read on August 29 at 9:30 a.m. as planned.

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Court President Nakharin Mektrairat announced the adjustment on Thursday, explaining that the change aims to provide the nine-judge panel additional time to deliberate and draft their opinions. The decision follows a two-and-a-half-hour hearing where Paetongtarn and her witness, National Security Council Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, testified.

Chatchai faced approximately one hour of questioning, while Paetongtarn underwent a further ninety minutes of testimony. The case centers on a leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodian leader Hun Sen during recent border clashes, which senators allege violated ethical standards and undermined national security.

The Constitutional Court on Thursday finished hearing testimony from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra about her leaked phone call with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen, and confirmed it would announce its ruling on Aug 29 as scheduled.

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Nakharin issued a stern warning after the hearing, prohibiting attendees from disseminating or distorting courtroom statements to avoid public misunderstanding. He emphasized that full audio and visual records of the proceedings have been preserved.

The lawsuit, filed by a group of senators, accuses Paetongtarn of “gross ethical misconduct and dishonesty” for engaging with Hun Sen amid heightened military tensions. The outcome could have significant implications for Thailand’s political stability and diplomatic relations with Cambodia.

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The court’s accelerated timeline reflects the case’s urgency, with the nation awaiting a ruling that may reshape leadership amid ongoing border disputes.

-Thailand News (TN)