Election Commission officers have prepared an announcement to this effect, he said, expressing the hope that the court had been apprised of the situation via the media and was in a position to make a swift decision in time for the April 2 election.

Singer explains himself

Popular look thung singer Ekkachai Sriwichai yesterday denied he had spoken out in support of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a pro-government rally at Chatuchak Park on Wednesday.

The media reports sparked widespread uproar on the part of his fans, mostly in southern provinces. Posters and CDs of his were destroyed at the anti-Thaksin rally outside Government House on Thursday. The veteran crooner said he had merely urged voters to cast their ballots on April 2, which he believed had been the purpose of the occasion.

"I said those who don't want to vote for any candidate could tick the 'no-vote' box. I also stressed that I didn't want to see a rift in society."

Politics no bar to charity

The Red Cross Fair will go ahead as planned at Amporn Garden despite the anti-government protests nearby at Government House, the organisers said yesterday.

Since it is a fund-raising event for charity, it should be supported by all parties, a Thai Red Cross Society official said on condition of anonymity. The site, where nearly 200 booths for agencies and organisations will be set up, is 70 per cent complete. The event runs from March 29 to April 6.