An ordinary person's appeal, like that submitted by government supporter Surapong Towijakchaikul, should be lodged first with one of the parties allowed to access the court directly, such as another court, the government, the Ombudsman or Parliament, acting court president Parn Jantaraparn said.

In his petition, Surapong claimed the Democrats wrongful¬ly invoked Article 7 of the Constitution to replace caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which is an offence punishable by party dissolution.

Undeterred by Surapong's set¬back, the Thai Rak Thai Party con¬tinued to try to disband its main rival party, with three of its executives submitting additional evidence with the Election Commission accusing the Democrats of involvement in undemocratic activities.

The three - Wichit Plangsrisakul, Kuthep Saikrajang and Prasop Busarakham - said the Democrats had conspired with small parties in a frameup of the ruling party relating to the fund¬ing to contest the April 2 election.

After giving his statement, Kuthep said any attempt to delay the new election might be unconstitutional.

The charter prescribes a 60day deadline for holding a poll but many politicians of all stripes are pushing for 90 days or more so they can switch parties, he said.

Under election rules, candidates must have belonged to a political party for more than 90 days before running in an election.

Supon Thanukrit,

Atthayuth Butrsripoom

The Nation