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Published on July 4, 2007

Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told some government ministers ahead of yesterday's Cabinet meeting he had learned politicians attending the gathering received Bt100,000 each, a source said.

"Almost 300 people attended the meeting but I wonder how many of them were there with no real ideology," the source quoted Sonthi as saying.

Chamlong Krutkhunthod, a former deputy leader of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, yesterday flatly rejected the claim.

"I didn't get a single baht. We gathered because we wanted to. And, next time there'll be more of us."

At Monday's meeting, 299 former members of Parliament and election candidates gathered, including key figures from the now-defunct political party.

Sonthi yesterday said every effort would be made to hold a general election this year, as promised by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. However, he expressed concern that the campaign to have the draft charter rejected in next month's referendum might derail early polls.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation