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Published on September 16, 2007

"Supachai was responsible for the enactment of 11 economic laws which are completely incompatible with policies adopted by the Pua Paendin Group," Prachai said in reference to the rehabilitation programme in the wake of the 1997 financial crisis.

Prachai lost control of his petrochemical empire as a consequence.

He made it clear that he would not support a party led by Supachai, who is currently director-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva.

He was also critical about the transformation of Pua Paendin ("For the Motherland") into a party by using his Pracharaj Party as shell.

"For a start, I don't agree with the new name 'Pua Paendin' because the party should retain its old name, 'Pracharaj', following the amalgamation of various groups," he said.

He said his party already had many qualified members, such as Korn Dabbaransi and Arthit Urairat, in the race to become the next prime minister.

Any newcomers, including those from Matchima and other factions, can seek their new home elsewhere if they disagree with his terms, he said.

"Pracharaj is ready to move on without [Pua Paendin] and form an alliance with the Democrats and Chat Thai to block the People Power Party," he said.

Prachai also opposed a proposal by newcomers to install Suwit Khunkitti as interim party leader.

He went on to reveal that he was responsible for the financial upkeep of Pracharaj core members but would not look after newcomers.

"As for campaign financing, I can match any amount of money supplied by former prime minister Thaksin [Shinawatra]," he said, voicing optimism about defeating the People Power Party.

If the new party is going to work, former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Bangkok 50 leader Suranand Vejjajiva must step back after concluding the deal with Pracharaj, he said.

Surakiart and Suranand still face a five-year ban from the electoral process and cannot be active in politics, he noted.

Prachai said he was ready for a showdown with newcomers at a meeting on Thursday.