The sub-committee, headed by former deputy attorney-general Suriya Songwit, launched the probe after Thai Rak Thai filed a complaint seeking to have the Democrat Party dissolved.

The committee only allowed Abhisit and lawyer Bandit Siripan to make statements in response to six accusations. Others were not permitted to make statements, but the panel claims three more Democrats will be questioned.

The allegations include conspiring with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to topple the government, calling for a royal-appointed PM, campaigning for "No" votes before the April 2 poll, hiring small parties to defame the Thai Rak Thai Party, not fielding MP candidates and obstructing small parties from fielding MP candidates in Songkhla.

After the questioning, Abhisit he was not asked about the six accusations but more about his political opinion. He was asked if he has ever met Sondhi Lim-thongkul and if he knew about the PAD's attack on then outgoing PM Thaksin.

Abhisit said the panel refused to give a copy of the EC's order appointing them or the names of panel members, claiming only the EC could give such details.

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the allegations were a joke. He was to have been questioned yesterday but it was deferred after the panel took almost three hours questioning Abhisit.

"Sensible people know that these accusations cannot be grounds for prosecution. For instance, the accusation that we did not field MP candidates is not a violation of any law,'' Suthep said.

A source said Abhisit was asked what "Thaksinomics" is, if Thaksin was qualified to be PM under the Charter, if party adviser Chuan Leekpai agreed with the decision not to field MP candidates, and what evidence they had of government interference with independent agencies.