The bench of the nine-member Constitution Tribunal was filled yesterday, paving the way for a judicial review of alleged electoral fraud involving five political parties, including Thai Rak Thai. A conviction can lead to party dissolution.

The once-mighty party will likely face a tough court battle as two newly appointed judges consistently handed down unfavourable decisions for the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

The two judges are Jaral Hatthakam and Wichai Chuenchompunut, both of the Supreme Administrative Court.

Jaral was the presiding judge who cancelled the privatisation of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the country's largest power supplier, last year. His ruling was a watershed event that helped trigger the downfall of the Thaksin administration.

Wichai released an appeal decision on Thursday ordering the judicial review of an administrative lawsuit that could see Shin Corp lose its licences for communication satellites, mobile-telephone services and television broadcasting.

The litigation stemmed from the sale of the telecom giant by Thaksin's family to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in January.

Five other judges on the tribunal were seconded from the Supreme Court. They are Somchai Pongsatha, ML Krairirk Kasemsant, Thanit Kesawapithak, Kittisak Kitikhunphairoj and Nurak Mapraneet.

Supreme Court president Preecha Thanomrawd and his Supreme Administrative Court counterpart Akaratorn Chularat will preside as head and deputy head of the tribunal, respectively.

The 16-member Supreme Administrative Court swiftly completed the vote for Jaral and Wichai.

The 87-member Supreme Court took two rounds of balloting to name its five judges. The first round narrowed the choices to 10.

Of the 87 eligible judges, 58 voluntarily withdrew from the race and two were absent.