The letter was signed by Colonel Banchob Sudchai, as chairman of the club.

The letter claimed that neither of the candidates was politically neutral. Kaewsan had taken the stage at rally held by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy and Nam had chaired a panel to probe the accusation that Thai Rak Thai Party had hired small parties to run in the April 2 election.

Caretaker Senator Wallop Tangkananurak yesterday said he had received an unsigned hand-written letter through the post that questioned his neutrality and claimed that he was a friend of Kaewsan.

The letter ended by cursing Kaewsan and Nam to lifelong ill fortune if they were selected

as election commissioners, he

said.

Police stepped up security at Parliament House yesterday as the Senate sat to select the five new election commissioners. The exit gate was blocked and vehicles were made to enter and leave through the entry gate.

All cars were checked for explosives and all drivers were asked to roll down their windows and show identity cards. The number of policemen on duty was also increased.

Meanwhile, a man outside Parliament House threatened to set himself on fire in front of the Election Commission's office if the general election was postponed beyond November 15.

The man, who identified himself as Noppruj Worachitwuthikul, 30, said elections were the heart of the democratic system and that some political groups were trying to postpone the next one, with negative consequences to society and the economy.