The tribunal said the hearings of the cases had been open to the public so the parties could publicise the testimonies and statements as long as the information was accurate.

Thai Rak Thai had posted former party leader Thaksin Shinawatra's written testimony on its website, www.thairakthai.or.th

The website also carries the party's opening statement in the trial and the testimonies of acting Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang and acting executives Prommin Lertsuridej and Pongthep Thepkanchana.

In Chaturon's written testimony, he claimed the Constitution Tribunal appointed by the coup makers should not be allowed to order a party dissolution as it was not a constitutional agency and was formed undemocratically.

Tribunal president Panya Thanomrod had said on Tuesday that it was their right to post this information.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party has posted the transcribed testimonies of party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban on its website, www.democrat.or.th.

Yesterday was the hearing of the defendants' witnesses in the electoral fraud case against the Democrat and Progressive Democratic parties.

Among the witnesses were former deputy Senate speaker Nipon Wisityuthasart and Nation Multimedia Group senior editor Sopon Onkgara. They testified on how the Thaksin government interfered in independent agencies and the media, as alleged by the Democrats.

Former senator Chirmsak Pinthong was also scheduled to testify yesterday but could not attend. He has already submitted written testimony.

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation