Last week Wang Nam Yom faction leader Somsak Thepsuthin was among almost 100 members who resigned from the party.

It was believed Suriya was ready to quit, but he had remained silent since the government was overthrown by the coup.

The source said other members of the Wang Nam Yom faction would also resign today.

Yesterday the party received the resignations of Somsak's wife Anongwan Thepsuthin and 11 members, according to Jatuporn Promphan, the party's deputy spokesman.

Jatuporn said 111 members had resigned so far.

Official appointments :Three top-level positions filled

The Cabinet yesterday endorsed a Prime Minister's Office order to appoint the PM secretary-general, his deputy and the government spokesman.

General Pongthep Thesprateep has been appointed the PM secretary-general, Kanchana Spindler as his deputy in charge of political affairs, and Yongyuth Mayalarp as the government spokesman.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp yesterday informed reporters about the PM's Office order, which was issued on Monday.

Meanwhile, PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan will oversee MCOT Plc and the Public Relations Department. After the new Cabinet's first meeting, he said he and another minister had discussed the scope of work in the ministry and would talk in detail again.

"We will also consult with the PM's secretary-general. However, initially I will supervise two organisations [MCOT and the Public Relations Department]."

Constitution tribunal : First meeting set for Monday

The Constitution Tribunal will convene its first meeting on Monday to discuss work procedures before starting to hear matters such as the electoral fraud case, which could lead to political parties being dissolved, a judge said yesterday.

"In activating the tribunal, the nine judges will have to finalise procedures for conducting an inquiry," judge Kittisak Kittikhunpairoj said.

The bench of the nine-member tribunal was filled last week to rule on constitutional disputes pending the drafting of the new charter.

Kittisak said the tribunal's first judicial review would likely cover the fraud case against five political parties allegedly involved in the bankrolling of small parties to contest the April 2 election.

The five include the two major parties - the Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats. A conviction could see parties dismantled.

Kittisak said the upcoming judicial review on the case would be based on the inquiry and not a trial.

NCCC :Police, others face graft charges

The National Counter Corruption Commission found grounds yesterday to press corruption charges against five police, one postman and a local government official.

Two police were accused of extorting Bt4,000 from three people in return for not framing them on drug charges.

And three Bangkok police were accused of assisting drug dealers get less punishment - by reducing the number of drugs they possessed from 195 to just eight tablets. The police allegedly embezzled the 187 tablets for themselves.

A postman was also accused of embezzling money orders totalling Bt299,674. And a local government official was charged with embezzling Bt181,731 from a Tambon Administrative Organisation. No further details were given.