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

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

Undeterred by the setback, the Thai Rak Thai Party continued to try to disband its main rival, by submitting additional evidence to the Election Commission accusing the Democrats of conspiring with small parties to frame the ruling party over funding for the April 2 election.

Supon Thanukrit,

Atthayuth Butrsripoom

The Nation