Chamlong said the nine Con-stitution Tribunal members, who come from the courts, are likely to strongly uphold principles of law and consider witnesses and evidence. However, they would also consider the consequences from the rulings, as members of a dissolved party might rally and cause chaos.

The Council for Democratic Reform's (CDR) announcement revoking the voting rights of executives of dissolved parties for five years was not likely to be applicable, Chamlong said. The alleged illegal conduct was not a resolution of party executives.

Dissolving both Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties but allowing their executives to stay in politics would hurt overall Thai politics because it would allow for a "nominee system" to evolve in which other people could pull strings behind the registered party executives. When the party becomes a government, those behind them would take ministerial posts, as the laws do not prohibit them from doing so. Politics could become eccentric, he said.

This scenario could also allow some members of the Council for National Security (CNS) to prolong their power through tame politicians, Chamlong said.

But if both parties were dissolved and their executives banned from politics, the Thai political scene would be left in the hands of five old-generation politicians - Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, Mahachon party leader Sanan Kachornprasart, Chat Thai party leader Banharn Silapa-archa and veteran politicians Snoh Thienthong and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

Dissolving the parties would also create economic problems and rifts in society, he said.

If only Thai Rak Thai was dissolved, the Tribunal would be questioned as to whether it was influenced by outside powers. Thai Rak Thai would be seen as having been unfairly treated.