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Published on October 13, 2007

"I was shocked when I saw news reports that Banharn [Silapa-archa, party leader] banned me from standing for election from Don Muang, my constituency," she said.

She said she then checked with Chat Thai executives, who told her Banharn had not made such a statement.

Janista said Banharn had asked to see her before the party meeting on Monday.

He was reportedly upset with Janista for missing party meetings and is said to have told members not to discuss party work with her.

Janista said she had been in the United States for three weeks to observe the presidential campaign at the invitation of the US Embassy. She denied allegations that she always missed party meeting and rarely visited her political base in Don Muang.

"The reports damage my popularity. It's like the party dumped me," she said, adding that she did not know who had spread the report.

Janista admitted that Democrat Party members had asked her to join them, but said "they were joking".

"There is no reason [for me] to leave Chat Thai as long as we have a strong leader and strong party members and everyone still supports me," she added.

Banharn yesterday also denied the reports and insisted the party would field her in Don Muang.

Nerisa Neuykiew, The Nation