People’s Alliance for Democracy spokesman Suriyasai Katasila and his lawyer file a police complaint yesterday against two Thai Rak Thai MPs over the drama at Udon Thani Rajabhat University on Sunday.

But the two MP nominees from Udon Thani claimed the PAD had exaggerated the safety risk at a local university on Sunday.

Wichai Chaijitwanitchakul and Theerachai Saenkaew said PAD spokesman Suriyasai had blown the situation out of proportion.

The PAD, represented by Suriyasai and political veteran Chaiwat Sinsuwong, organised a public forum against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the auditorium at Udon Thani Rajabhat University.

Hundreds of Thaksin's supporters sealed off the forum venue, effectively holding Suriyasai and Chaiwat hostage for the entire day. They also threatened to assault the two if they tried to flee.

After long hours of negotiations, the crowd dispersed in the evening and the two were able to return to Bangkok safely.

Wichai and Theerachai both said they were present at the scene to guarantee safety - not doing the opposite, as alleged by Suriyasai.

Suriyasai said he had videotaped the incident, and this showed how the two MPs incited the crowd.

Wichai said he had no involvement other than allowing the group of 400 pro-Thaksin constituents to use his audio equipment for a rally near the PAD forum.

"The crowds from pro- and anti-Thaksin groups swelled and the situation started to spiral out of control after a university lecturer announced that the pro-Thaksin rally was filled with paid demonstrators," Wichai said.

Provincial authorities summoned him and Theerachai in the afternoon to reason with the crowd, he said. The crowd agreed to allow Suriyasai to leave the forum and he offered himself as a shield but Suriyasai refused to leave.

Theerachai said Suriyasai tried to politicise his plight even though there was no real threat to his safety. "Suriyasai could have left but he decided to stay in order for PAD leader Pipop Thongchai to hold a press conference in Bangkok to hype up his safety," he said.

Wichai and Theerachai said their constituents had no objection to the opposition activities, such as those organised by the Democrat Party but would not tolerate the PAD for causing social division.

Pipop, meanwhile, called on the ruling party to show responsibility for the incident. He also demanded the government bring the culprits to justice.

Two outgoing senators, Niran Pitakwatchara and Kraisak Chonhavan, criticised the ruling party for its bullying tactics against the Alliance.

Thai Rak Thai secretary general Suriya Jungrungreangkit said he had no information that Wichai and Theerachai masterminded the incident.

"Relevant parties should stop driving a wedge into society and try to reconcile with one another," he said.