MPs held in safe hotels before vote

Democrat allies told not to use telephones

PRADIT RUANGDIT

The Democrat party-led alliance kept MPs in safe places yesterday to make sure they were not lured away to the rival camp led by the Puea Thai party ahead of today's vote in parliament for prime minister.

Reports of huge sums of money being spent to stop Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva becoming the next government leader prompted the party's allies to gather their members in well-guarded places yesterday.

Nonetheless, Puea Thai executives expressed confidence their choice for prime minister, Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok, would beat Mr Abhisit by about 10 votes.

A breakaway faction from the dissolved People Power party led by Buri Ram politician Newin Chidchob and four former government coalition parties - Chart Thai Pattana (the re-formed Chart Thai), Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Puea Pandin and Phum Jai Thai (the re-formed Matchimathipataya party) - have reaffirmed their support for Mr Abhisit.

A source from the Friends of Newin camp said rooms in the Pullman Hotel at Soi Rang Nam were arranged for its members to stay the night ahead of the extraordinary House session to choose a new prime minister today.

Its members were not permitted to carry mobile phones or use telephones, and were to travel together in the same vehicle to attend the House meeting to further limit their chances of coming into contact with "money politics", the source said.

A Puea Pandin source, at the same time, said 17 Puea Pandin party members were put in a safe place at a hotel under the care of party spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakarn yesterday.

The source added influential Puea Pandin chief adviser Vatana Asavahame, a fugitive convicted of corruption in the Klong Dan scandal, had also given assurances to Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban that he supported Mr Abhisit as prime minister.

A Chart Thai Pattana source said its members were also lodged at a hotel in the Lan Luang area for the night before the vote today.

Suwat Liptapanlop, a key figure in Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, and party secretary-general Pradit Phataraprasit were each looking after four MPs.

Pol Gen Pracha had met former police chief Pol Gen Pao Sarasin to seek advice on the political situation, a close associate said.

Acting Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul, the Ruam Jai Thai deputy leader, confirmed that all nine members of the party will raise their hands in support of Mr Abhisit.

Mr Suthep did not believe the pre-recorded video speech by Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday would change the resolve of the four parties and the Newin camp who had decided to support Mr Abhisit.

"I am confident the Friends of Newin group are firm in their decision. They have made up their mind. What Mr Thaksin said was just about his own concerns," Mr Suthep said.

In the speech, Thaksin warned that politicians who "betrayed" people would face the consequences.

Mr Abhisit said if he is elected prime minister he will tackle problems facing the country head on, with the economy as his priority.

He would need a talented team to help him run the country.

He denied suggestions the military had played a hand in pushing him as prime minister.

"I have risen through democratic procedures, and never take short cuts. I am not in a position to set up a party of my own. I am only an MP who has the support of my colleagues," Mr Abhisit said.

However, Puea Pandin deputy leader Prapat Wisetjinda was confident that Pol Gen Pracha will be elected prime minister.

He predicted Pol Gen Pracha will beat Mr Abhisit by about 10 votes.

From www.bangkokpost.com