The Senate on Tuesday voted not to impeach former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat for charges related to his involvement in the botched anti-riot operation on October 7, 2008.
By a majority decision of 76-to-49 votes, the impeachment charges were dropped at the conclusion of the Senate inquiry on Somchai.
Of the 134 senators present, six abstained from voting and three cast votes deemed invalid.
To impeach Somchai, a minimum requirement is 90 votes.
Since Somchai already stepped down, proponents wanted but failed to push for his impeachment as a symbolic gesture of punishment.
Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet said he would forward the voting outcome to the National Anti Corruption Commission which recommended for the impeachment inquiry.
The Senate vote to drop impeachment had no bearing on the court battle involving Somchai, Prasopsuk said.
