"I do everything honestly and take no instructions from [party leaders] Somsak Thepsuthin and Suriya Jungrungreangkit," he said.

He insisted the group would try to map out a political solution based on three guidelines: the Royal advice from April 25; the laws of the Constitution and the rulings made by the country's three top courts.

"I am a provincial lawyer and I always respect the courts," he said, denying speculation that he might be charged with contempt of court.

Before yesterday's meeting, which was held at Parliament House, Sophon and many elected MPs from the ruling party spoke out against the powers given to the courts.

They questioned whether the Central Administrative Court should be empowered to rule on the Election Commission's alleged mismanaged of the April 2 polls and threatened to litigate against the court if the election was invalidated.

The court has asked to review the taped interviews before deciding whether to charge the group with contempt.

Sophon replied that he was prepared to explain to the court how he had been misquoted in the news reports and had actually said if the results were cancelled, he and his colleague Paijit Sriworakhan, would seek a legal interpretation from the Constitution Court.

"I did not threaten to sue the Central Administrative Court," he said, adding he was ready to abide by the court's ruling.

During the meeting Sophon and other participants criticised any attempts to persuade the courts to cancel the election outcome.

Meeting participants included key members from the party's Wang Nam Yom and Pho Mod Dam factions.

Somsak's wife Anongwan Thepsuthin and Suriya's close aide Anucha Nakhasai were present at the meeting, which ended without releasing a statement.

The Nation