Dr Oraphan Methadilokkul, a proponent of the controversial V1-Immunitor pills, which are registered as a food supplement and promoted as a treatment for HIV-Aids, yesterday went to Surapong's house and requested the Bt1 million.

Oraphan said Surapong promised to pay her to withdraw the suit she filed against him four years ago when he was deputy minister of public health.

It was during this time that several newspapers published articles in which Surapong said V1-Immunitor was unable to cure HIV-Aids patients as claimed by the supplement's maker.

Surapong said he and Oraphan, who were classmates in high school, had previously met

and tried to seek a compromise in the case at the Miracle Grand Hotel.

Surapong said Oraphan told him on that day that she had financial problems while he insisted he would do everything to protect people as V1-Immunitor couldn't really relieve HIV-Aids.

"On that day, Oraphan was willing to withdraw the lawsuit unconditionally, even without the Bt1 million," he said, adding that he had filed a complaint at Pathum Thani's Khu Khot Police Station accusing her of creating trouble and annoyance.

However, Oraphan yesterday insisted that she and Surapong had made an agreement about the money but she did not have evidence of this because she trusted Surapong as an old friend.

"I gave him my bank account number a year ago because he promised to transfer the money to me. But he has not done so, and always avoids me when I ask about it," she said.

Oraphan said she would not ask for the money again and would instead take the issue to court.