Dems gear up for legal fight
- Published: 20/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The Democrat Party's lawyers are preparing for a court battle with Puea Thai over accusations the ruling party hired fake witnesses for a trial which led to the dissolution of Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai Party.
Nipit: Party lawyers examining evidence
Democrat MP for Phatthalung Nipit Intarasombat said the legal team is examining evidence for use in a legal dispute, if one arises, with the opposition party.
The move was to counter Puea Thai member Panlop Pinmanee, who on Monday brought two former members of the disbanded Chart Thai Pattana Party before the media with allegations against the Democrats.
Suksan Chaiyathep and Chavakarn Tosawat accused Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban of hiring them to lie to the Constitution Court.
The two earlier testified that they were bribed by former deputy TRT leader Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhya to help the TRT avoid a legal requirement in the April 2, 2006 election which was boycotted by the Democrats, and could have left them struggling to win seats in uncontested electorates.
The exposure has prompted certain Puea Thai members to consider seeking the disbandment of the ruling party.
Mr Nipit said his legal team could press charges against Gen Panlop.
He also called on Puea Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit to clarify if the opposition party was behind the claims against the Democrats.
"We are ready for a fight," he said.
Democrat MP for Songkhla Wirat Kalayasiri yesterday shrugged off the Puea Thai Party's plan to revive the TRT dissolution case.
The party was ordered disbanded in 2007.
He said the Democrats had key evidence that would make Gen Panlop feel a chill down his spine.
