Thai Senators Criticize Former Constitutional Court President Over Remarks

On September 11, 2026, a group of Thai senators, led by Pisit Apiwattanapong, held a press conference at the Parliament to address recent remarks made by Nakarin Mektrairat, the former President of the Constitutional Court. Nakarin had previously suggested that the current Senate possesses low political legitimacy due to its self-selection system. Furthermore, he claimed that Meechai Ruchuphan, the former chairman of the 2017 Constitution Drafting Committee, had described the Senate's design as a major failure.

However, Meechai has since denied ever meeting with or making such statements to Nakarin. The senators argued that Nakarin’s comments were insulting, lacked evidence, and damaged the reputation of the Senate. They emphasized that these remarks undermine the dignity of the institution and questioned why Nakarin did not raise these concerns during his tenure as the head of the Constitutional Court.

For residents and travelers, this political friction highlights ongoing debates regarding the structure and legitimacy of Thailand's legislative bodies. While this dispute is currently confined to political rhetoric, it reflects the broader tensions within the Thai governance system. It remains to be confirmed how Nakarin will respond to these accusations and whether this public confrontation will lead to further formal investigations or legal challenges regarding the claims made about the 2017 constitutional drafting process.