A Democrat lawyer yesterday attacked the credibility of Election Commission witnesses during the Constitution Court's first hearing on a party dissolution case, over alleged misuse of Bt29 million in state funds.
The first witness was Police Corp Tatchapol Phromchan, who also filed a complaint to the Department of Special Invest-igation (DSI) for another dissolution case involving the Democrats, about a Bt258-million donation.
Democrat lawyer Bundit Siripant attacked Tatchpol's credibility, questioning his past work record - formerly for The Mall Group which was administrated by the Umpujh family before it came under the Pataraprasit family. Bundit referred to Tatchpol's record for filing false information to his superior and being suspended from work for seven days.
Tatchpol said complaints had been made, but he had never been suspended from work or had any conflict with the Pataraprasit family. Deputy finance minister Pradit Pataraprasit was Democrat Party secretary-general at the time.
Tatchpol denied knowledge of a relationship between former DSI chief Tawee Sodsong and the Shinawatras, nor knowing red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua, although he joined the reds' rally. He said he filed the case sincerely after finding something wrong.
Investigation into the Bt258 million donation led to the Bt29 million case, in which the Democrats are accused of illegally using money from the Political Party Development Fund.
Bundit also challenged Police Col Worachai Arakrat, formerly chief DSI investigator on the case, over details about the case leaked to Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoo-bamrung days before the censure debate last year. Worachai said Chalerm's details did not match the DSI report.
The third witness, Pheu Thai MP Kiat-udom Menasawat - who also filed a complaint against the Democrats to the DSI - said he had no conflict with the rival party, although he had resigned from its membership. He conceded that some information he used came from Chalerm and his team's investigation. Meanwhile, he attended the red-shirt rally to show support, but he did not go on stage. Democrat MPs and a legal team including chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadtan and Sutasn Ngen-mune closely followed the trial. The next hearing is due on August 23.