The legislation passed in its third reading with 160 “yes” votes and two abstentions.

The bill stipulates that the Corruption Court will adopt an inquisitorial procedure in which judges and court staff are actively involved in investigating cases and suspects.

The inquisitorial role is unlike the adversarial system used in Criminal Court where the role of the court and judges is to maintain a fair balance between the prosecution and defence.

Under the bill, the court will be able to hear cases against officials who abuse power or face charges of malfeasance, money laundering, bid rigging, bribery or demanding kickbacks.

Other offences include submitting false asset declarations, concealing wealth and amassing disproportionate assets.

The bill also states that the time that suspects evade trial will not be counted towards the statute of limitations. After the court issues a verdict, the period of time needed to apprehend suspects also will not be included in the statute of limitations.

The Central Corruption Court will have jurisdiction in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.

Regional Corruption Courts will also be established in nine regions across the country.

The Criminal Court’s Corruption Cases Division, which was established last August, will be upgraded to become the Corruption Court.

The bill also stipulates that the Court of Appeals will set up a division in charge of appeals in corruption cases and all appeals will go through a single central court.

The bill requires that suspects submit appeals on their own.

Rulings by the Court of Appeals’ Corruption Cases Division will be regarded as final unless the case is brought to the Supreme Court.

Judges who try corruption cases must have at least 10 years’ experience and the courts will be required to conclude cases within two years.

Court of Justice spokesman Suebpong Sripongkul said the bill also stipulated that during trial, if suspects are released on bail and attempt to flee, they will face up to an additional six months’ imprisonment or a Bt10,000 fine, which will be enforced even if the original charges are dropped.

Prosecutors must report to the court on a monthly basis on progress to bring suspects to stand trial.